Sony, the PlayStation manufacturer, has contributed $5 million to aid first responders, community recovery initiatives, and support programs for those impacted by the devastating wildfires currently engulfing Southern California.
In a joint statement shared on X/Twitter, Kenichiro Yoshida, Sony's chairman and CEO, and Hiroki Totoki, president and COO, emphasized Los Angeles's significance as the home of Sony's entertainment operations for over 35 years. They pledged continued collaboration with local leaders to identify the most effective ways Sony can contribute to relief and rebuilding efforts.
The crisis, which began on January 7th, persists, with three major wildfires continuing to cause widespread destruction across the greater Los Angeles area a week later. According to BBC reports, the fires have resulted in 24 fatalities and 23 missing persons in the two largest affected zones. Firefighters are preparing for challenging conditions as stronger winds are anticipated.
Sony's generous contribution is part of a larger corporate response to the crisis. As reported by CNBC, other companies contributing to wildfire relief include Disney ($15 million), Netflix and Comcast ($10 million each), the NFL ($5 million), Walmart ($2.5 million), and Fox ($1 million), among others.
