L.A. Lakers Committed to Help

After the NBA and the NBA Players Association did their share by donating to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan), followed by commitments from the Miami Heat and Carnival Corporation for another US$ 1 million, it is now the turn of the Los Angeles Lakers to show its support to on-going relief efforts.

According to their site, Lakers will donate US$ 150,000, as well as give all proceeds from the Lakers Youth Foundation In-Arena Auctions at all Lakers home games between 12-24 November to the Philippine Red Cross (PRC).

They are also asking their fans to join and do their part by donating to one of the non-profit organizations listed below:

• UNICEF is closely monitoring the situation and their team is ready to be deployed to ascertain needs of affected children, together with government, UN agencies and NGO partners on the ground. Text RELIEF to 864233 to donate US$ 10 to UNICEF USA to help support UNICEF’s efforts in the region.
• The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has deployed assessment and rescue teams to the areas affected by the typhoon to evaluate the damage and to support rescue efforts.

The Super Typhoon displaced more than 600,000 people and some new estimates put the death toll at 4,000. According to CNN, the Super Typhoon hit the Philippine islands with winds that were 3.5 time as strong as Hurricane Katrina. A 15-foot high wall of water completely washed away several towns and islands.

The Lakers’ donations are meant to assist the more than 2 million people currently in need for food.

Authorities had stated that 800,000 people were evacuated ahead of the storm, but even those evacuations could not avoid the loss of life and unimaginable destruction that has taken place.

Earlier, Pau Gasol, Lakers center, tweeted his concern for the victims and expresses his support for the entire nation.