By Jon Weisman
To aid those whose lives have been harmed by a devastating fire at the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission, the Dodgers and the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation are leading an online donation effort now through May 19 and a collection of items at Dodger Stadium on Thursday.
Damage sustained included the destruction of the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission’s emergency shelter, vehicle fleet, clothing warehouse includes modern facility dry storage space and food pantry, all of which were vital in aiding those of need in the San Fernando Valley.
Monetary donations are being taken at www.dodgers.com/ladf. All donations received this week will go directly to the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission.
In addition, fans are also invited to drive through Dodger Stadium on Thursday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. to drop off donations in Lot 1. The Dodgers will be joined by members of the Dodger Alumni League, Dodger wives, staff from City Council offices as well as the Los Angeles Fire Department and San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission in their collection of items for the mission.
The Dodgers and LADF suggest donations at Dodger Stadium of new or gently-worn clothing and shoes, new or used blankets, bedding and towels, toiletries, baby items and canned and dry food items.
Additionally, more than 15 families affected by the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission fire will attend Wednesday’s 7:10 p.m. game vs. Miami, courtesy of the Dodgers. One of the young children affected by the fire lost his favorite Dodger blanket; the Dodgers will be providing him along with all families in attendance with new Dodger blankets.
Members of the Los Angeles Fire Department will also be collecting monetary donations during Wednesday’s game and at Thursday’s event.
“The Dodger community spans far and wide, and we feel strongly about the unfortunate circumstances affecting our neighbors at the San Fernando Valley Mission,” said Dodger senior vice president of external affairs Renata Simril. “We invite all Dodger fans to lend a helping hand to the Mission while they attend any of our games against Miami or by stopping by this Thursday.”
Said Los Angeles City Council member Paul Krekorian: “The moment the Dodgers heard about the terrible loss suffered by the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission and the families it serves, they offered to step up and help rescue the Mission. I urge everyone to follow the Dodgers’ lead this week by donating money, clothing and personal items in whatever amount possible.”
Founded in 1998, the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission began as the Rescue Survival Outreach Services (S.O.S.) Program serving meals to the Valley’s homeless. In 2002, the Mission launched the Family Shelter program in a collaborative effort with San Fernando Valley area churches in response to the critical unmet need for a year round emergency shelter. The program has been designed to provide homeless men, women, children and families an opportunity, not only to obtain food, shelter, and basic life necessities, but also provides a foundation for individual and family restoration by developing a personalized plan based on their needs for achieving personal growth, employment, and housing. For more information, log on to www.sfvrescuemission.org or call 818-304-7593.
Robert Myers
Why don’t you ever discuss the biggest Dodger problem of 2014? And I hold the Dodger owners responsible for the television contract hiatus with Time Warner Cable. I live in Orange County and am tired of trying to hear the Dodger games on a cheap Radio Shack radio. You never mention that 70% of the Southern California cannot watch their beloved Dodgers on television. And this boycott could last a year or longer! I live in Orange County and am considering becoming an Angels fan! The Dodger brass should have anticipated this disaster when they negotiated with TWC. I’m amazed, after receiving your Dodger Insider, sometimes more than once a day, that you have failed to recognize what has become a travesty with televising Dodger games. At first I was more than willing to pay Cox whatever the cost to get Dodger games, BUT NO MORE! Start writing about this problem! Are you afraid to do so? You write about small stuff and expect us to accept it while this major conflict continues. I’d like to see you print this letter but I doubt if you will. It will not be easy to become an Angels fan after 56 years being a loyal Dodgers fan but it is time to change paddles. Besides, I love Mike Scioscia! If I don’t see you writing about this unfortunate subject soon I plan on unsubscribing to your post. Bob Myers, Laguna Niguel