Sony, the maker of PlayStation, has announced a $5 million donation to support first responders, community relief and rebuilding efforts, and aid programs for those affected by the devastating wildfires currently raging across Southern California.
In a joint statement on X/Twitter, Kenichiro Yoshida, Sony's chairman and CEO, and Hiroki Totoki, president and COO, emphasized Los Angeles' significance as the home of Sony's entertainment business for over 35 years. They pledged continued collaboration with local leaders to identify the most effective ways Sony Group can contribute to relief and recovery efforts in the coming days.
The crisis, which began on January 7th, continues to unfold, with three major wildfires causing widespread destruction across the greater Los Angeles area a week later. The BBC reports at least 24 fatalities and 23 missing persons in the two largest fire zones, with firefighters preparing for challenging conditions as stronger winds are forecast.
Sony's contribution is part of a larger corporate response to the wildfire crisis. According to CNBC, other companies making significant donations include Disney ($15 million), Netflix and Comcast ($10 million each), the NFL ($5 million), Walmart ($2.5 million), and Fox ($1 million), among others.
