Lions RB AMEER ABDULLAH and several of his teammates "took part in a dinner honoring approximately 200 Oakland County (Mich.) high school students who took part in the first HAVEN Redefine program, which educated young males about domestic violence in the community." HAVEN "provides shelter, counseling, and education for victims of domestic violence." The Lions "contributed a $250,000 grant to fund the Redefine program, which included students from Berkley, Harbor, Milford, Novi, Oakland Opportunity Academy and White Lake Lakeland schools" (DETROITNEWS.com, 5/15).
JUST CAUSE: Nationals 1B RYAN ZIMMERMAN on Thursday hosted his seventh annual "A Night At The Park" at Nationals Park, which benefits his ziMS Foundation. The foundation "has raised more than" $2M to raise awareness for multiple sclerosis. Many of his teammates, including P MAX SCHERZER, 3B ANTHONY RENDON and 2B DANNY ESPINOSA, as well as manager DUSTY BAKER, "attended the event, which included a performance from members of the band O.A.R." (WASHINGTON POST, 5/14).
DERBY DAY: Texans DE J.J. WATT on Saturday night held his fourth annual charity softball game at Minute Maid Park in front of a crowd of 20,000. The primary goal of the event is to "raise money for after-school athletic programs." Watt indicated that over $3M "has been raised since it was established with money donated in 21 states, including his home state of Wisconsin and Texas" (CHRON.com, 5/14).
NOTES: Orioles 3B MANNY MACHADO following yesterday's game "hosted the third annual Manny Machado Basebowl Tournament at Mustang Alleys Bar, Bowling and Bistro in Harbor East." The event benefits the Baltimore City Department of Recreation & Parks (Baltimore SUN, 5/16)....Roughly a dozen former Red Wings and professional hockey players came together yesterday in Fraser Mich., to "support the Ford division of the United Auto Workers Union in a charity game benefiting the American Cancer Society" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 5/16)....Golfer BILLY HORSCHEL's "pledge to donate $1,000 for each birdie and $5,000 for each eagle he made during" The Players Championship "to Feeding NE Florida yielded $23,000" (JACKSONVILLE.com, 5/16).
