Photo Credit: Ernst Vikne / CC by 2.0
The Los Angeles Dodgers donated $1 million to the Elton John AIDS Foundation in honor of the singer’s final tour in the United States.
On Saturday, the Los Angeles Dodgers donated $1 million to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The donation honors the singer’s final tour in the United States, with the last three sold-out shows taking place at Dodger Stadium.
Dodgers Chairman and owner Mark Walter and tennis legend and Dodgers co-owner Billie Jean King joined Elton John on stage to present the donation during Saturday’s show.
“Beyond the obvious impact and joy of his music, Elton has been a social leader in fostering LGBTQ acceptance and equality and has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those living with HIV and AIDS through the Elton John AIDS Foundation,” said Walter.
“We at the Dodgers share Elton’s commitment to community, equality, and service and are pleased to be able to support the work of the Foundation. Billie Jean and I thank Elton for all he has achieved and congratulate him on his iconic career.”
Established in 1992, the Elton John AIDS Foundation is one of the leading independent AIDS organizations in the world. The Foundation is committed to overcoming stigma, challenging discrimination, preventing infections, and providing treatment while influencing governments to assist in ending the AIDS epidemic.
“I want to thank the Los Angeles Dodgers for their incredible generosity in making this amazing donation to the Elton John AIDS Foundation,” said Elton John. “I am thrilled to play my three final shows of my Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in the US at Dodger Stadium, an iconic venue which has meant so much to me and my career.”
Elton John’s longtime connection with the Dodgers includes his iconic 1975 performance at Dodger Stadium in his spangled Dodgers’ uniform. The stadium was a “fitting and poignant” location for the final leg of his US tour.