The NFL, in collaboration with the NFLPA, clubs, owners and players, has donated more than $35M to date, including $3.4M from the NFL Foundation as part of the COVID-19 relief efforts. Support has benefited the American Red Cross, Bob Woodruff Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, CDC Foundation, GENYOUth Foundation, Meals on Wheels America, Salvation Army, Team Rubicon, United Way and Wounded Warrior Project. The NFL also is working on a broad plan to incorporate philanthropy and fundraising to provide additional help for those significantly impacted by coronavirus (NFL.com, 3/26).
SUPPORT IN SEATTLE AND CHICAGO: The Sounders are "launching a relief fund, with an initial investment of $500,000" from Owner Adrian Hanauer and his family. The fund will "primarily target neighborhoods surrounding CenturyLink Field which have been impacted by the club’s lack of matches" (SEATTLE TIMES, 3/26)....The Bulls and White Sox will "commit $200,000 to support the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund" in providing access to “emergency food and basic supplies, rent, mortgage and utility assistance, direct cash transfers and funds to support outreach to residents most vulnerable to the virus" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/27).
MORE PLAYERS PITCH IN: Blackhawks C Jonathan Toews "donated $100,000 to the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund" through the Jonathan Toews Foundation. The Chicago Blackhawks Foundation announced earlier this month that it will "match the first $100,000 in individual donations" (NBCSPORTSCHICAGO.com, 3/26)....Magic G D.J. Augustin made a "financial donation to Krewe of Red Beans in New Orleans," his former hometown. The group is "delivering food from New Orleans restaurants to healthcare workers on the front lines of the coronavirus battle." Nearly $40,000 "has been raised" since the GoFundMe page opened March 16 (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 3/27).
