PRESS RELEASE
CORE CELEBRATES THE POWER OF COMMUNITY AFTER SERVING AS OFFICIAL CHARITY PARTNER OF THE 2026 ASICS LOS ANGELES MARATHON
The emergency response nonprofit co-founded by Sean Penn and Ann Lee rallied runners, donors and talent ambassadors to raise critical funds for wildfire recovery and global disaster relief – demonstrating the power of community in action.
LOS ANGELES – March 11, 2026 – CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) – the LA-based, global humanitarian organization dedicated to empowering communities in and beyond crisis – served as an official charity partner for the 2026 ASICS Los Angeles Marathon on March 8, providing runners the opportunity to champion resilience, support recovery and stand with communities in need around the world, while raising funds for their home city of Los Angeles.
In January 2025, the Eaton and Palisades Fires devastated Los Angeles County, destroying more than 16,000 structures and displacing thousands of residents. CORE mobilized immediately to provide relief, delivering $3.6 million in cash assistance, distributing 44,000 essential items, operating child-friendly spaces at shelters, removing over 130 tons of debris, and cleaning smoke-damaged homes.
CORE has since implemented a five-year recovery initiative, including the opening of The Hub, a 4,000-square-foot community space in Altadena that offers low-to-no-cost services, such as disaster case management. CORE is also opening a Community Center, which will provide affordable wraparound services, from mental health care to senior support and educational workshops. To date, CORE has helped more than 27,000 people recover from the disaster. With an additional $3 million in cash assistance planned for 2026 for rental support, the number helped will only grow as these communities continue to rebuild.
With the support of runners, donors and talent ambassadors, CORE raised $18K to support CORE’s long-term recovery program for the Los Angeles wildfires, advancing ongoing relief and rebuilding efforts. Running on behalf of #TeamCORE, the organization received support from talent ambassadors including content creator Anna Sitar, actor Brennan Mejia, author and advocate JD Slajchert, journalist Lanae Brody and actor William Shewfelt.
“Each year, the Los Angeles Marathon is a powerful reminder of what this community can accomplish together,” said Ann Lee, Co-Founder & CEO of CORE. “The energy and support shown by our runners, donors and talent ambassadors for #TeamCORE was truly inspiring. Their dedication and commitment fuel our ability to provide critical aid to communities in crisis, and we’re excited to continue growing the team and expanding our impact in the years ahead.”
Please see here for more information on how to donate to CORE.
Founded after the 2010 Haiti earthquake by Sean Penn and Ann Lee, CORE (Community Organized Relief Effort) is a global humanitarian organization that empowers underserved communities in and beyond crisis. CORE’s community-powered work is informed and fueled by local hands. When crisis strikes, we listen, we learn, and we act to quickly fill gaps, mobilize resources, and develop long-term recovery solutions. With a focus on equity, CORE provides critical relief to marginalized and vulnerable people, from the conflicts in Ukraine and Sudan to hurricane-ravaged states across the U.S. and beyond. Learn more about CORE’s work at www.coreresponse.org, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
