For nearly forty years, the 999 for Kids Program has quietly transformed lives across Los Angeles County. Born from a partnership between the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department (LASD) and the Department of Children and Family Services, the program was created to meet needs that too often fell through the cracks, needs of children who are medically fragile, have developmental disabilities, or are recovering from the unthinkable trauma of abuse and neglect.
This year, as the program celebrates its 39th anniversary, it receives a meaningful boost from D’Andre Lampkin’s Lampkin Foundation, a nonprofit committed to community resilience and service. Their partnership with the LASD Parks Bureau underscores the importance of public service, philanthropy, and community action coming together for a common cause.
From Wildfire Front Lines to Concert Hall Tribute
The story of this year’s collaboration has its roots in both tragedy and triumph. In September 2024, Southern California endured a devastating wildfire season, with blazes like the Eaton, Palisades, and Kenneth fires threatening lives, homes, and natural landscapes. Among the responders was D’Andre Lampkin, not only the founder of the Lampkin Foundation but also a Deputy Sheriff serving on LASD’s Incident Management Team.
Months later, on April 1, 2025, D’Andre Lampkin found himself in an entirely different setting: the world-renowned Walt Disney Concert Hall. That evening, music legend Christina Aguilera joined Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic for a moving performance honoring the first responders of the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. The concert was not only a gift of music but also an act of collective gratitude. Philanthropic leaders like Terri and Jerry Kohl, Jason Subotky, and Anne Akiko Meyers, Kaiser Permanente, GRoW Annenberg, and American Express underwrote the event so that proceeds could benefit community recovery.
Following her performance, Aguilera personally signed a guitar, which was presented to D’Andre Lampkin in recognition of his frontline service. But instead of keeping it as a personal memento, D’Andre Lampkin made a decision that would extend the guitar’s symbolic power. He offered it to the LASD Parks Bureau to support their annual fundraising for 999 for Kids, ensuring that the gesture of gratitude would ripple outward to children in need.
What “999” Represents
In law enforcement radio codes, “999” is the call for an officer in need of urgent help. In the case of this program, D’Andre Lampkin explains that it represents children whose circumstances place them in desperate need of community support.
Since its founding in 1985, 999 for Kids has purchased adaptive wheelchairs, medically oriented toys, and computers for children with disabilities. It has opened the door to life-changing experiences such as summer camps for deaf or blind children and specialized programs for those who are medically dependent. Each contribution made through the program offers both practical assistance and a message of hope: that these children are not forgotten.
Creativity and Commitment in Fundraising
Over the years, the program has become known not only for its mission but also for the creativity of its fundraising efforts. Deputies donate their personal time to initiatives like the program’s signature Catalina-to-Cabrillo Beach team relay swim, an endurance challenge that doubles as a display of solidarity. Community partners rally around the cause each year, amplifying both awareness and donations.
The auction of Aguilera’s signed guitar added a one-of-a-kind element to this year’s campaign, capturing public attention and connecting the world of celebrity artistry with grassroots law enforcement service. The winning bidder, announced in August, didn’t just take home a piece of music history; they became part of a story of compassion, resilience, and generosity.
A Shared Mission of Service
For D’Andre Lampkin, the partnership was a natural extension of his work both in and out of uniform. “Every child deserves the tools, resources, and opportunities to thrive, no matter their circumstances,” Lampkin has often emphasized. By aligning the Lampkin Foundation’s mission with the LASD Parks Bureau’s leadership of the 999 for Kids Program, he reinforced the belief that real change requires collaboration across different parts of society.
This is not a one-time gesture but part of a broader philosophy: that public safety, philanthropy, and the arts can all converge to uplift communities. Whether through disaster response, nonprofit programming, or fundraising for vulnerable children, D’Andre Lampkin and his partners are demonstrating what resilience looks like in practice.
Looking Toward the Future
As the 999 for Kids Program enters its 39th year, its longevity is a testament to both the ongoing need and the enduring generosity of the Los Angeles community. What began as a joint project between county departments has evolved into a movement sustained by countless acts of service, from deputies training for months to complete the grueling relay swim, to musicians offering their talents for free, to community members making donations big and small.
This year’s collaboration with D’Andre Lampkin’s Lampkin Foundation ensures that the mission not only continues but also expands its reach. Children will receive the specialized equipment they need to live with dignity, the opportunities to participate in activities many take for granted, and the assurance that their community values them deeply.
In the end, the true meaning of “999” has become more than a code. D’Andre Lampkin understands that it is a call that has been answered, year after year, by a network of people unwilling to turn away from the county’s most vulnerable children. With the Lampkin Foundation now lending its strength to the LASD Parks Bureau’s leadership, that call will continue to echo with compassion, action, and hope for decades to come.
