In the wake of devastating flooding across Louisiana earlier this year, the Baltimore Orioles Charitable Foundation has announced a donation of $25,000 to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation's Louisiana Flood Relief Fund in an effort to help the lives of those affected by the natural disaster. Since relentless rains fell across Louisiana last August, disastrous flooding has caused terrible damage to homes and businesses, while displacing countless residents throughout the region.
Orioles pitcher KEVIN GAUSMAN, along with other former Louisiana State University baseball players in the Major Leagues, launched the "Pitch in with Former Tigers" campaign to raise money for the Baton Rouge Area Foundation's Louisiana Flood Relief Fund. A first round selection (No. 4 overall) by the Orioles in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of LSU, Gausman personally donated $15,000 to the fund earlier this year and became actively involved in fundraising efforts which, combined with his personal donation, generated a $31,776 contribution to the fund in September. The Orioles donation comes in support of Gausman and to help the fund reach its goal of raising $2 million for disaster recovery efforts.
"This disaster has done so much damage to homes, businesses, and families in the Louisiana area," said Gausman. "I know this community will respond and rebuild, but I hope everyone can band together to assist those that are most in need right now. I'd like to thank the Orioles for their generous donation and encourage others to aid in the relief efforts in any way possible."
Fans who wish to donate to the Louisiana Flood Relief Fund should visitwww.braf.org to make a contribution. Currently, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation has collected 84 percent of its $2 million online goal with the proceeds going quickly and directly to nonprofits helping with recovery. Contributions to the fund are tax deductible.  
Former Orioles pitcher, LSU alumnus, and Orioles Radio Network broadcaster BEN McDONALD also participated in rescue efforts for flood victims. McDonald was born in Baton Rouge, La. and attended Denham Springs High School located in the suburbs of Baton Rouge before his collegiate career at LSU. As part of the rescue and recovery efforts in the aftermath of the flooding, the LSU Tigers baseball team was on hand to help McDonald's mother-in-law clean out her flood-damaged home in Denham Springs.
Several Major League players from the Louisiana region, including Gausman, have actively raised awareness and funds to aid in the relief efforts. In August, Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association joined together to announce a $250,000 contribution to various organizations, including the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, to assist victims of the floods in Louisiana. 
The Baton Rouge Area Foundation was created in 1964 with the goal of helping philanthropists pursue their causes for bettering the lives of the people of South Louisiana. The Foundation serves more than 600 fund donors, who make grants to nonprofits through their charitable accounts at the Foundation. BRAF also undertakes projects for civic good and supports local nonprofits with strategic consulting to endure overall impact and sustainability.