Earlier this year, Los Angeles was devastated by the Palisades and Eaton fires. Entire neighborhoods were burned down, and many people were displaced. The entire community came together to gather and distribute supplies, raise funds, and support future recovery efforts for those in need.
On Sunday, September 7, 2025, BAPS Charities hosted JJ Redick, the Head Coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, for a conversation titled “Rising from the Ashes: A conversation about the 2025 LA wildfires and resilience.” As a Palisades resident, Coach Redick’s home burned down, and he saw his community turn into ashes. During the conversation, he shared the impact the fires had on his family and particularly on the children in his community. He discussed how he has joined many other leaders in thinking about recovery and bringing back key elements that were lost. One such important space was the Palisades Recreation Center.
Coach Redick has teamed up with many other partners. Through his foundation, the LA Strong Sports Foundation, he is committed to seeing the recreation center rebuilt so that the community can once again gather and have a place they can call home.
Within 24 hours of the fires erupting, BAPS Charities answered the call to service and mobilized hundreds of volunteers to gather and procure essential supplies. Within days, they donated to over 20 shelters and resource centers in Los Angeles, Pasadena, and Altadena. BAPS Charities also launched its #SOCALSTRONG Fund to raise money towards future recovery efforts.
Through the money raised from the fund, BAPS Charities is proud to partner with Coach Redick to donate $75,000 to help rebuild the Palisades Recreation Center so that area youth can once again live in a community where they can thrive and succeed.
Coach Redick ended the conversation sharing his gratitude for the donation. “Every dollar that you are giving us will go to rebuild the rec center, and you guys will now have an ownership stake in this rec center! I’m so grateful for all of you, I really mean that. You guys did an awesome thing by raising this money, and we are going to put it to good use.”
BAPS Charities continues to stand as a pillar of support, not only during disasters like the 2025 wildfires but also in regular times through its ongoing community projects, as well as its health, education, and humanitarian initiatives that uplift communities across the world.
