More than 115 athletes, coaches and sports personalities from 13 countries have "joined to raise money for a COVID-19 response fund aimed at providing assistance for individuals fighting the global pandemic," according to Wayne Drehs of ESPN.com. Those participating include Simone Biles, Mark Cuban, Stephen Curry, Dale Earnhardt Jr.,Tony Hawk, Jack Nicklaus, Michael Phelps, David Ortiz and others. Octagon Exec VP David Schwab "helped come up with the idea of 'Athletes for Relief,'" a raffle which runs through May 1 and has "already raised more than $63,000." Donors can make a "minimum $25 donation under the name of the athlete of their choice will enter them to win everything from a pair of signed, race-worn shoes" from NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson to an "autographed Masters flag" from CBS' Nick Faldo. All of the proceeds will "go to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy's COVID-19 Response Fund and will be pooled with other donations to help organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Feeding America, Healthcare Ready and the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics" (ESPN.com, 3/30).
