“In times of crisis, we stand together” – Orioles owner David  Rubenstein on supporting Hurricane Milton relief efforts

Orioles owner David Rubenstein is among the voices coming out in support of relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Milton. As someone who has ties to the affected area, the billionaire philanthropist is putting his money where his mouth is.

In response to the devastating hurricane that hammered the Gulf Coast of Florida last week, Rubenstein and the Orioles Foundation announced a $500,000 aid package for resources. In an official statement, David Rubenstein claimed:

"In times of crisis, it's essential for us to stand together as a community, we hope that this match challenge inspires our fans and community members to give generously and help provide immediate relief for those affected by Hurricane Milton."

$250,000 will be supplied by the team, while the Baltimore Orioles have resolved to match donations up to another $250,000. If the $500,000 goal is reached, the Patterson Foundation will supply an extra $100,000 toward the efforts.

Ed Smith Stadium, where the Orioles play their preseason games, is located in Sarasota, one of the locales most affected by the hurricane. The Category 5 hurricane caused extensive damage across eastern Florida totalling to about $30 billion. The searing winds tore the roof off of Tropicana Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Rays.

"Now that the sun is up, here’s a 360-degree view of the damage Hurricane Milton caused to Tropicana Field’s roof and the inside of the ballpark. Absolutely heartbreaking" - Ryan Bass

A billionaire philanthropist, David Rubenstein acquired the Orioles for $1.7 billion in early 2024. A native of Baltimore, Rubenstein attended Duke University and the University of Chicago before founding The Carlyle Group, an asset management firm.

David Rubenstein and Orioles ownership double down relief support

Although the O's were disqualified by the Kansas City Royals in the first round of the 2024 playoffs, there are bigger matters for the club at the moment. As Orioles co-owner Mike Arougheti told MLB.com:

"By supporting both Season of Sharing and All Faiths Food Bank, we hope to alleviate some of the financial and food insecurity burdens faced by families affected by the hurricane, our hope is that these efforts will provide a pathway for families to regain stability and peace of mind as they recover."

At this point, nobody knows how long it will take to rebuild the communities that were ravaged by this disaster. However, at least Orioles fans can rest assured that David Rubenstein and the rest of the team's ownership is doing their part.