Jazz news: Donovan Mitchell sells shoes for PR earthquake, Australia fire

Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell is auctioning off his custom Adidas sneakers to benefit relief efforts in Australia and Puerto Rico.

Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell plans to auction off his customized Adidas signature sneakers, with the proceeds going toward relief efforts for the Puerto Rico earthquake and Australia's bushfires.

Mitchell worked out a way to honor both countries along with the designers of his Adidas D.O.N. sneakers. The newly designed pair of sneakers features the Puerto Rican flag on his left shoe and the Australian flag on his right.

Donovan will auction off his custom shoes, with all proceeds going toward relief efforts for the Puerto Rico earthquake and Australia brush fires. pic.twitter.com/p8GRPgrzBq

— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) January 14, 2020

Mitchell has always been in touch with the community and spoke out on natural disasters, so this act of kindness comes as no surprise. This act of partnering with Adidas for a good cause can help plenty of people in need.

The Jazz star recently sent prayers to people affected by the Taal volcano eruption in the Philippines.

Damn this is wild! Praying for the Philippines and everyone effected 🙏🏾💔 https://t.co/y50YT71hOs

— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) January 13, 2020

Puerto Rico has been pummeled by hundreds of earthquakes in recent weeks, including a 5.9 magnitude temblor on Saturday, which caused some landslides along the southern coast, rattling some of the residents already on edge from last Tuesday's massive 6.4 magnitude earthquake.

Tuesday's quake was the largest to strike the island in more than a century, tearing through hundreds of buildings and forcing thousands to leave their homes, leaving millions of others without electricity.

Australia's fires have been burning for months, but they've started to accelerate in recent weeks, mowing down nearly 18 million acres of land and causing thousands to evacuate while killing millions of animals. New South Wales declared a state of emergency this week, as the weather conditions have worsened and could lead to even greater danger.

Mitchell's contribution, as small as it may be, is a sign of initiative and his willingness to help two struggling nations that have been the victims of real misfortune in recent months. A platform as big as his can have a real impact.