LOS ANGELES — On Saturday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers donated $1 million to the Elton John AIDS Foundation in honor of Elton John’s final tour of the United States, which culminates in three box office shows closed at Dodger Stadium this weekend.
Dodgers president and principal owner Mark Walter and tennis legend, activist and Dodgers co-owner Billie Jean King joined Elton John onstage to present the donation during Saturday’s broadcast.
“Beyond the obvious impact and joy of his music, Elton has been a social leader in promoting LGBTQ acceptance and equality and has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of people living with it. HIV and AIDS through the Elton John AIDS Foundation,” Walter said. “At the Dodgers, we 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 accomplished and congratulate him on his iconic career.
The Elton John AIDS Foundation was established in 1992 and is one of the world’s leading independent AIDS service organizations. The Foundation’s mission is simple: to end the AIDS epidemic. The Elton John AIDS Foundation is committed to overcoming the stigma, discrimination and neglect that stand in the way of ending AIDS. Through the mobilization of our network of generous supporters and partners, we fund local experts on four continents, including North America, to fight discrimination, prevent infections and provide treatment, as well as influence governments to end AIDS. You can learn more about the Elton John AIDS Foundation here.
Elton John said: “I want to thank the Los Angeles Dodgers for their incredible generosity in making this incredible donation to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. I’m thrilled to play my final three shows of my Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour of the United States at Dodger Stadium, an iconic venue that has meant so much to me and my career.
Elton John’s connection to the Dodgers has long been public and includes one of his most iconic performances in 1975 when he appeared at Dodger Stadium in his star-studded Elton John Dodgers uniform. The stadium was a fitting and emotional place for him to end his touring career in the United States.
