The Yakima Bears have announced that throughout the six-game homestand beginning today the team will be collecting donations for the victims of the Taylor Bridge fire.

"While we can only imagine the hardships suffered by our neighbors in central Washington, we know that with roughly 10,000 people expected to come through Yakima County Stadium over the next six days we can provide an avenue for aid," said Bears general manager K.L. Wombacher.

The Bears will have a bucket at the front gate and collection jars at concession stands for all six games. The team will also be holding a raffle for game-worn jerseys and team signed baseballs on a nightly basis. The Bears will give 100 percent of the funds collected to the Ellensburg Chapter of the American Red Cross to help victims of the fire.

As of Wednesday, it had been reported the fire near Ellensburg and Cle Elum in central Washington had burned approximately 22,000 acres and hundreds of people had been displaced.