Two weeks was all it took for the gaming community to band together and raise a staggering $1.6 million for LA wildfire relief through a special operator bundle in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone. On top of that, Activision, now under Microsoft’s wing, pitched in an extra $1 million. The funds are benefiting two charities: the LAFD Foundation and Direct Relief, and players could snag the LA Fire Relief bundle for 2400 COD points in the game’s store.
A heartfelt thank you echoed across the internet as Call of Duty fans worldwide joined forces to make a difference. Their contributions—amounting to over $1.6 million—are directly supporting the LAFD Foundation and Direct Relief, providing crucial aid in tackling local fire relief efforts.
Activision’s roots in Santa Monica, where their headquarters and the Treyarch Studios team behind Black Ops 6 are based, felt the heat as the nearby Palisades Fire loomed. While the city was spared from destruction, some Activision employees weren’t so fortunate. The company openly expressed its commitment to standing by those affected, ensuring ongoing support.
California’s infamous wildfires kicked off on January 7 with a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades, a result of fierce winds and a relentless drought. Spanning more than 40,000 acres across Los Angeles County, these fires left unimaginable damage, claiming over 16,000 structures, including numerous historic homes. The fires wreaked havoc for 24 days before they were finally contained, with at least 29 lives lost in the process.
In total, the joint $2.6 million contribution from Activision and the Call of Duty community is destined for two essential groups. Direct Relief, known for its humanitarian efforts, is at the forefront, providing medical aid, emergency funding, and critical supplies like wildfire response kits and N95 masks. To date, they’ve supplied 2.3 million masks and have opened up spaces like evacuation shelters and health centers to aid those displaced.
Meanwhile, the LAFD Foundation, although independent from the fire department itself, plays a vital support role by furnishing equipment and financial backing for the LAFD. This includes everything from modern firefighting gear to cancer prevention measures for their brave first responders. They also extend services like behavioral therapy and youth programs, recognizing the only 3% slice of the city budget they receive needs considerable bolstering.
Activision took to LinkedIn to underscore their ongoing dedication to assisting Los Angeles in its recovery journey, saying, “We know the journey to resuming some normalcy in Los Angeles is going to be a long one. Thank you to our first responders for their heroic actions, and to our employees for stepping up for each other in big ways.”
Engaged by the game’s vibrant community, the Call of Duty initiative and the heartwarming response from its players demonstrate the power of unity in times of crisis.
