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Chargers security Alohi Gilman has spent the previous couple of weeks at coaching camp in Costa Mesa, however his ideas have been 1000’s of miles away.
He was born and raised within the small city of Laie on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Whereas that’s two islands and practically 100 miles away from Lahaina, Maui, the location of the deadliest U.S. wildfire in a century, Gilman says the current occasions “have struck a deeply private chord with me.”
“Maui isn’t only a place on the map; it’s part of my homeland, my connection to Hawaii,” Gilman mentioned in an announcement on the group’s web site. “My coronary heart resonates with the resilience of the individuals who misplaced their houses whereas additionally stepping up for his or her neighbors in want.”
The Chargers have teamed with the 11 different main skilled sports activities groups in Los Angeles — the NFL’s Rams, the NBA’s Lakers and Clippers, the WNBA’s Sparks, MLB’s Dodgers and Angels, the NHL’s Kings and Geese, MLS’ Galaxy and LAFC, and the NWSL’s Angel Metropolis FC — to donate a mixed $450,000 to assist present reduction to these affected by the fires.
The groups introduced the donation Thursday in a joint assertion that highlighted a number of the ties these organizations need to Hawaii, together with the Dodgers opening a baseball and softball academy in Waipahu final 12 months, the Lakers and Galaxy holding previous coaching camps on the islands and the Angels having a Triple-A affiliate in Honolulu for a number of seasons on and off between 1962 and 1970.
A few of the groups have additionally introduced particular person efforts to supply support for the hearth victims. The Rams will put on customized “Mālama Maui” T-shirts on the sideline Saturday throughout their preseason sport towards the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium. These shirts are additionally on the market, with the group donating proceeds from that and different fundraisers to the American Crimson Cross’ hearth reduction efforts.
“Our ideas and prayers are with folks which might be affected with these Maui fires,” Rams coach Sean McVay informed reporters Thursday. “It’s a horrible factor. … We need to do our half.”
The Geese introduced that group house owners Susan and Henry Samueli made a “substantial donation” to the Maui Robust Fund by means of their Samueli Basis.
The Chargers mentioned they are going to donate a minimal of $50,000 to reduction efforts, with the group elevating funds throughout its preseason sport towards the New Orleans Saints on Sunday at SoFi Stadium.
“Hawaiians symbolize a wealthy tapestry of tradition, household, and values that embody the spirit of Aloha,” Gilman mentioned. “And it’s our privilege to share the heat of Aloha with the world. I implore everybody to embrace the Aloha spirit, to increase your hand in solidarity with Maui. Whether or not by means of donations, acts of kindness or spreading love far and extensive, let’s be part of collectively in making a distinction.”
The groups are encouraging followers focused on donating to to help their Hawaiian hearth reduction efforts to go to redcross.org.
