How Lakers fans can support L.A. community and relief efforts from Southern California fires

Wildfires are still causing damage and destruction in Southern California, and the death toll from the crisis has risen up to at least 16 in Los Angeles County. Gov. Gavin Newsom has even said the fires will be the worst natural disaster in the history of the United States “in terms of just the costs associated with it, in terms of the scale and scope.”

With so many residents still in dire straits, the Los Angeles Lakers organization sent out a press release on Sunday that detailed how fans can support the L.A. community and relief efforts from the Southern California wildfires.

Starting on Monday, the Lakers will be hosting a donation drive for their next three games, all of which will be home contests for Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena. Los Angeles will play the San Antonio Spurs on Jan. 13, Miami Heat on Jan. 15 and Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 17.

Fans will be able to find collection bins at the Figueroa, Star Plaza and Kobe Bryant entrances outside of Crypto.com Arena. Folks will be able to donate items starting 1.5 hours before each game up until the halftime break.

But there’s more than one way for fans to donate in the coming days. There will be a drive-through donation location at UCLA Health Training Center, and that will run for nine hours every day from Jan. 14 through Jan. 18. The exact hours will be 9 a.m. PST until 6 p.m. PST each day.

Food items and non-food items are needed, with the Lakers specifying in the press release what exactly is needed by the community at this time.

The wildfires have even impacted those within the Lakers organization. First-year head coach J.J. Redick lost his residence.

The hope should be that the Lakers’ donation drive will receive enough donations to help many in the L.A. area. The Lakers organization deserves praise for setting up the drive regardless of how much is donated, and maybe the team’s efforts will inspire other professional sports teams based in Southern California to find ways to support those who are going through a tough time.