Raiders team up with other Bay Area pro teams to donate $450,000 to Atlas fire relief

Today the Raiders announced they have teamed up with the San Francisco 49ers, Oakland A’s, San Jose Earthquakes, San Francisco Giants, San Jose Sharks and Golden State Warriors to give a collective donation of $450,000 to support North Bay fire relief efforts.

Firefighters from across California and neighboring states are working to contain the wildfires that have ravaged across four counties in the North Bay and especially in Sonoma County and Napa County the past three days.

“The Raiders family expresses our deepest concern for everyone affected by the North Bay fires,” said team President Marc Badain. “The Raiders have held training camp in Napa for the past 22 seasons and have formed a strong bond with communities in Napa and Sonoma counties. The Silver and Black ask the entire Raider Nation to help spread the word on how everyone can assist the region in its recovery.”

Wednesday Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio spoke on the devastation which has taken its greatest toll on the city of Santa Rosa, where entire neighborhoods have been leveled, including the home of Raiders legend Cliff Branch, who evacuated.

“Some tough stories coming out of the North Bay,” said Del Rio. “Thoughts and prayers for the people that are affected up there, lives that were lost. It’s a pretty devastating fire and series of events taking place up there, so hopefully we can get those flames out and things can settle back down and people can start rebuilding. Our thoughts are there, thoughts are prayers for the people that are affected up there.”

The Bay Area teams have established a YouCaring site www.youcaring.com/firerelief for fans to donate whatever they can to support the victims of these devastating fires. Alternatively, Bay Area fans who would like to contribute via text to relief efforts can text REDCROSS to 90999 to give $10 to American Red Cross Disaster Relief.