D’Andre Lampkin Foundation and LASD Parks Bureau Unite for 999 for Kids’ 39th Year

D’Andre D. Lampkin Foundation and LASD Parks Bureau Unite to Support 999 for Kids Program’s 39th Year of Changing Lives

For nearly four decades, the 999 for Kids Program has stood as a beacon of hope for Los Angeles County’s most vulnerable children, those who are medically fragile, have special needs, or have endured the trauma of severe abuse or neglect. This year marks its 39th anniversary, and the D’Andre D. Lampkin Foundation is proud to partner with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) Parks Bureau to ensure that this legacy of compassion continues to thrive.

A Guitar, a Concert, and a Commitment to Community Resilience

On April 1, 2025, following a moving performance in honor of the heroes of the 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires, music icon Christina Aguilera personally signed a guitar to be presented to D’Andre Lampkin, Founder and Board Chair of the Lampkin Foundation. This special moment took place during a free concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, where Aguilera, alongside Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, paid tribute to first responders who risked their lives battling the Bridge, Franklin, Eaton, Palisades, and Kenneth fires.

D’Andre Lampkin, who also serves as a Deputy Sheriff on LASD’s Incident Management Team, had been on the front lines of the wildfire response since September 2024. Recognizing the opportunity to connect this symbolic gift to a cause close to the heart of LASD, Lampkin presented the guitar to the Parks Bureau to help raise funds for their annual 999 for Kids Program.

The performance was more than just a concert, it was an act of solidarity. Special guest performers joined in, the musicians of the LA Phil donated their services, and the event was fully underwritten by philanthropic visionaries including Terri and Jerry Kohl, Jason Subotky and Anne Akiko Meyers, Kaiser Permanente, GRoW Annenberg, and American Express. Composer Gabriela Ortiz summed up the spirit of the night, saying, “Music has the power to grant us access to the intangible, healing our wounds and binding us to what can only be expressed through sound.”

What “999” Really Means

In law enforcement radio codes, “999” signals an officer in need of emergency help. But for this program, it’s a call to help children in crisis.

Founded in 1985 through a joint effort of the LASD and the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, the program was created to fill gaps in services for children with severe physical and mental challenges or those who have suffered from extreme abuse and neglect. Funds raised go toward specialized items such as sport wheelchairs, computers, adaptive educational resources, medically oriented toys, and access to unique life experiences like summer camps for deaf, blind, or medically dependent children.

Fundraising with Heart, and Endurance

Beyond donations, many deputies volunteer their personal time to raise funds, including participating in the program’s signature annual team relay swim from Catalina Island to Cabrillo Beach in San Pedro. This year, the signed Christina Aguilera guitar added a one-of-a-kind prize to the fundraising efforts, with the winner announced in August.

Building Stronger Communities Together

By presenting the guitar for auction, D’Andre Lampkin and the Lampkin Foundation reinforced their shared mission with LASD Parks Bureau: building stronger, more resilient communities by investing in those who need it most. The funds raised through this initiative will bring tangible relief and joy to children whose lives have been shaped by adversity, offering not just resources, but hope.

For 39 years, the 999 for Kids Program has answered a call that transcends law enforcement; it’s a call to serve, protect, and uplift the most vulnerable among us. This year’s collaboration between the Lampkin Foundation and LASD Parks Bureau ensures that call will continue to be answered with dedication, compassion, and the unwavering belief that every child deserves the chance to thrive.