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The Lakers legend and NBA Hall of Famer hoped to bring smiles to the faces of children whose families lost so much in the Eaton Fire which destroyed thousands of homes in Altadena and Pasadena.
The “Bright Futures Carnival” for nearly 200 children was held at the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena Slavik Clubhouse, aimed to provide relief for children and families whose lives were disrupted by the devastating fires that swept through the region.
According to officials, 75 families from the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena lost their homes in the wildfires. Five local schools were destroyed, including Odyssey Charter School, which housed a Boys & Girls Club Clubhouse and afterschool program.
Johnson emphasized the importance of community support during the crisis.
“I’m so happy that we were able to provide a much-needed day of fun to local Altadena and Pasadena children, as well as others in surrounding communities,” Johnson said.
“It’s so important for us to come together and support these families whose lives have been changed forever. I was fortunate to spend the day with so many of these special families, provide some encouragement and much-needed items — and most importantly — show that we’re here for them. Thank you to the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena for serving these communities at a time they need it most.”
David M. Cordani, Chairman and CEO of The Cigna Group, joined volunteers from Cigna and Johnson to host the Bright Futures Carnival. The event featured food trucks, outdoor games, and various carnival stations, including pop-a-shot, carnival games, and snack stations. Each family received Ralph’s gift cards, Los Angeles Lakers and Dodgers items, and mental health packs from The Cigna Group.
“In the aftermath of the fires, many local children remain without access to vital resources and are facing increased mental health challenges such as anxiety, fear and grief,” said David M. Cordani, Chairman and CEO of The Cigna Group.
Lisa Cavelier, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena, expressed gratitude for the support.
“We are grateful for the support from The Cigna Group and Mr. Johnson,” Cavelier said. “They are showing up for us when our community needs them the most.”
The Cigna Group Foundation previously donated $150,000 to support local wildfire relief efforts and contributed an additional $25,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Pasadena this week. Since 2024, the foundation has donated $250,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of America to support youth mental health programming.
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