FLUSHING, NY — Two back-to-back earthquakes of magnitudes 7.2 and 7.5 struck off the northern coast of Venezuela this past Wednesday night, leaving thousands of families absolutely devastated.
And thousands still searching for loved ones and those in need with aid coming from all corners of the world.
Many Venezuelan players and coaches across Major League Baseball, with heavy hearts, immediately began relief funds and alternative ways in sending their helping hands back home. Some through social media, others by money going directly to family members in their homeland and responsible organizations attempting to handle such an ongoing tragedy.
In any way, shape or form.
Gleyber Torres of the Tigers, 29, a native of Caracas, Venezuela, recently sent loaded trucks that were filled with drinking water, tools, materials for rescue efforts, medicine and essential products to the most affected communities.
Gleyber Torres, one of 83 Venezuelan-born players to appear in a MLB game this season, sent out loaded trucks of water, tools, materials for rescue efforts and more to help those in need in his native Venezuela after multiple earthquakes struck Wednesday night – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
For Phillies left-hander Jesús Luzardo, born in Lima, Peru, growing up in Parkland, Florida, with both of his parents and extended relatives from Maracaibo, Venezuela, the 28-year-old’s framework in donating and helping through The Jesús Luzardo Family Foundation has already begun.
“We’re working on efforts to help out in Venezuela after the earthquakes by finding any way possible to give back and stay in touch with the community. And finding ways to help out people that need it,” Luzardo told Latino Sports Friday afternoon ahead of the Phillies defeating the Mets, 2-1, at Citi Field.
“Financially helping out, giving back and trying to donate money to the right organizations that are helping with getting boots on the ground over there. Whether it’s medical supplies, clothing, anything, I want to help. Looking at everything, obviously, it’s sad. A lot of kids are probably gonna end up being orphans, so we have been dealing with companies that can help them. Seeing where they can help send those children. But, I mean more in any way possible, just humanitarian aid. Whether it’s sending physical stuff, sending money to organizations that are already there, we’re just looking for different ways.”
The Jesús Luzardo Family Foundation—established in 2024 to support individuals with special needs and the youth in underserved communities—has hosted several charitable community events such as baseball camps, golf outings, live-auctions, and even launched a campaign called “Striking Out Barriers” last season which had Luzardo donate $100 for each strikeout recorded on the year, benefitting The Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia.
With a Venezuelan family background, Jesús Luzardo, the first-ever Peruvian-born MLB player, is all in on helping those who were impacted by the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela with plans currently in the works – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
With that in mind, he went on to compile a career-high in strikeouts for a regular season with 216, surpassing his previous mark of 208 Ks from 2023. Including his eight strikeouts in the 2025 postseason, Luzardo had raised $22,400 from it (224 strikeouts) and a total of $148,000 due to foundation contributions and matching sponsors.
This season for 2026, the former LatinoMVP Pitcher of the Year, winning the prestigious award as a Marlin in 2023, increased the campaign to $150 per strikeout.
Furthermore, Luzardo’s most recent venture with his family’s foundation was as Philly as one could draw it up.
“We just had our cheesesteaks event in Philly which was awesome,” he said of the second annual “Luzardo’s Cheesesteaks for Charity” event, a massive success with hundreds of fans of all ages attending at Ashburn Alley last Thursday in Citizens Bank Park.
“We raised over twenty thousand dollars again for the Nemours Children’s Hospital. Just looking to give back any way possible. We’re setting up a school drive for kids going back to school soon.”
Jesús Luzardo’s recent charitable cheesesteak event, “Luzardo’s Cheesesteaks for Charity” resulted in more than $20,000 raised for the Nemours Children’s Hospital – Image Credit: The Jesús Luzardo Family Foundation
Besides doing his part in giving back to the community on a consistent basis through his charitable work, Luzardo, inking a five-year/$135 million contract extension with the Phillies this past March, feels right at home on and off the mound in the City of Brotherly Love.
“You obviously feel love when you’re going through the city with the fans and Phillies fans travel well,” he said.
“I think we have fans everywhere, all across the States. It’s nice to see and I really do enjoy my time in Philadelphia. I like the city and the community so any way I can integrate myself, I want to.”
You can learn more about The Jesús Luzardo Family Foundation by visiting the foundation’s official website here and by following its Instagram profile @JesusLuzardoFDN.
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