Former Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun has been evacuated from his home in California for the better part of the past six weeks due to the Los Angeles wildfires.
Mr Brown, 41, expressed his gratitude to the firefighters who continue to work hard to keep people and buildings safe.
“Firefighters and first responders are the true heroes,” Brown told FOX News Digital on Saturday. “I don't think we get many opportunities to thank them, but they put their lives on the line. They worked day and night. I know a lot of people” for hours.
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Former Milwaukee Brewers player Ryan Braun waves to fans during a ceremony announcing his retirement from baseball before a game against the New York Mets at American Family Field. (Benny Hsu/USA Today Sports)
“They are doing everything in their power to save as many people and buildings as possible. We are incredibly grateful for everything they have done for our communities, and today we would like to thank so many of them. This is your opportunity to express your feelings as much as possible. ”
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Brown joins World Series champion Mike Moustakas, Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff, Brewers star Christian Yelich and Brewers owner Mike Attanasio in helping communities affected by the disaster. California Strong was founded to help.
California Strong is a YMCA program designed to provide assistance to all Californians after a disaster.
Yelich spoke about how California communities continue to support each other in times of need.
“Every time there's someone in need, the community seems to step up. I remember the Woolsey fire was about seven years ago, and it seems like it's just over in the blink of an eye. , recovery is a long process. You know, it's not going to happen in a day, a week, even a year,” Yelich told FOX News Digital.
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On January 8, 2025, the Sunset Fire burns in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles. (Jill Connelly/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
“This is a multi-year process and we're just trying to help people get back on their feet here first and hopefully be with them throughout the process so we can get back to normal at any point.”
Moustakas talked about how Brown, Yelich, Goff and Attanasio created California Strong by checking on each other during tough times.
“It started with us checking in on each other and quickly turned into us trying to use our platform to help those in need. One of the best things about that was using that platform in a situational way, “for the better,'' Moustakas told FOX News Digital.
“We were very fortunate to have this YMCA partner, and it just kind of took off from there, and here we are today, supporting a lot of families with a great community. We are very excited to be able to help these people.” ”
Brown talked about how long and difficult the rebuilding process can be for people and how California Strong wants to help them.
“We live in this community. We grew up in this community. We can empathize with people and what they're going through and dealing with. Mike (Mustakutas) Like, I have three young children, so I'm always looking out for them.'' Understanding the situation through the eyes of another parent can be a long-term process for many people as they rebuild their lives. It's a daunting process. And for us, that's the goal of California Strong. That's what we were meant to do: help people after natural disasters and tragedies,'' Brown said.
“That's what we've been trying to do for the last seven years. That's what today is all about. And the goal is to be able to support people in the short term, right away today, and in the long term as they experience the end. Rebuilding their lives will be a very long and difficult process. ”
California Strong is partnering with Proactive Sports to help Californians get back on their feet.
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On January 12, 2025, wildfires continued to cause large-scale damage, entering their fifth day and causing severe damage to residential areas in Los Angeles. (Lokman Vral Elibor/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“Proactive Sports has partnered with California Strong since its inception,” Emily Capretta, owner of Proactive Sports, told Fox News Digital. “We hosted the event for those affected by the Woolsey Fire and Borderline mass shooting that unfortunately occurred in our community in 2018.
“And we mobilized a group of really smart, strong women to a local Thanksgiving, and that was kind of the beginning of California Strong.
“On this special occasion, the night of the displaced and homeless, I texted the first group of women that I wanted to do it again with them. I also texted Ryan Braun. We need to be the first point of action for those affected.”
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