Source: Neilson Barnard / Getty
Vanessa Bryant is one of the latest celebrities to lend a helping hand amid the Los Angeles wildfires. This week, she and the Mamba and Mambacita Foundation donated over 8,000 pieces of Nike sports apparel, including shoes and socks, to needy families.
“Today, we took our first step in supporting children and families that had to evacuate their homes due to the LA fires,” the foundation captioned an Instagram post. “Over 8,000 pieces of apparel and sneakers were donated to families in need for the LA Strong Essentials Distribution today. Thank you, @dodgers, for hosting 
. Thank you to our family, friends, and new friends who helped distribute apparel and sneakers today! We couldn’t have done this without you.”
The Instagram post featured photos of Vanessa and the foundation team handing out items. Families lined up, kids tried on shoes, and everyone seemed grateful for the support.
Vanessa Bryant and the Mamba & Mambacita Foundation aim to help the City of LA recover.
Vanessa, a native of Los Angeles, has a long history with the city. Reports note that she and her late husband, Kobe Bryant, once lived in Pacific Palisades in a home destroyed by wildfires. Vanessa, Kobe, and her children Natalia, Gianna (deceased), Bianka, and Capri are cornerstones of the city with Kobe’s history-making run with the LA Lakers.
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Vanessa is one of several celebrities using their resources to support LA families affected by the fires. The Mamba and Mambacita Foundation focuses on creating opportunities for young athletes. According to its website, the foundation aims to “create a world where young boys and girls have equal opportunities to pursue their dreams through sports and life.”
In February 2020, Vanessa announced the foundation’s name change to honor both Kobe and their daughter Gianna, who passed away in a terrible plane crash in January of that year. “Because there is no #24 without #2,” Vanessa wrote on Instagram, referencing Kobe and Gianna’s jersey numbers. “We have updated the Mamba Sports Foundation to now be called the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.”
She added, “Our mission remains the same – and stronger than ever – to provide opportunities to young people through sports.”
The impact of the LA wildfires continues to grow. Actions like this from Vanessa, the Mamba and Mambacita Foundation, and other celebrities will be essential as the city and area continue to recover.
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