Sony, the PlayStation manufacturer, has pledged $5 million to aid first responders, community recovery, and support programs for those impacted by the devastating wildfires currently sweeping across 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 three and a half decades. They committed to collaborating with local leaders to identify the most effective ways Sony can contribute to relief and rebuilding efforts in the coming days.
The crisis, which began on January 7th, shows no signs of abating. A week later, three major wildfires continue to wreak havoc on the greater Los Angeles area. The BBC reports at least 24 fatalities and 23 individuals remain missing in the two largest affected zones. Firefighters are preparing for a challenging period as stronger winds are anticipated.
Sony's contribution is part of a broader corporate response to the crisis. CNBC reports that other significant donations include $15 million from Disney, $10 million each from Netflix and Comcast, $5 million from the NFL, $2.5 million from Walmart, and $1 million from Fox, among others.
