NASCAR Research and Development Center engineers this week delivered 160 face shields to Novant HealthGETTY IMAGES
Engineers at the NASCAR Research and Development Center have "shifted their manufacturing efforts to producing and assembling face shields for hospitals to combat the coronavirus pandemic," delivering 160 face shields to Novant Health on Tuesday. The group has "assembled around 200 face shields since shifting its operations last week." Most of that batch was "delivered to Novant Health, which serves hospitals in North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia." NASCAR's R&D branch, teams, manufacturers and individuals are "contributing to COVID-19 response efforts." The supplier of NASCAR's "chassis kits, Technique, for example, has shifted factory operations in Jackson, Mich., to manufacture 20,000 face shields a day" while speedways are being "used to host testing centers, while teams, manufacturers and drivers contribute donations in either supplies or funding for hospitals seeking equipment" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 4/2).
ORGANIZATIONAL AID: The Astros Foundation donated $400,000 to "support hospitals within the Texas Medical Center on Tuesday while announcing a partnership with Crane Worldwide to distribute medical supplies, coronavirus test swabs and personal protective equipment to area hospitals amid the coronavirus pandemic" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/2).....The Rays are "committing $250,000 to help Feeding Tampa Bay provide meals and other food services during the coronavirus pandemic." The club will "make a $100,000 donation and offer up to another $150,000 in matching funds for an online virtual food drive" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 4/2).....A source said that Grizzlies Owner Robert Pera will "donate 300,000 meals to a local food bank" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 4/2).....The Texans "made $50,000 donations to the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Houston and the YMCA of Greater Houston to assist children and their families during the coronavirus pandemic" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/2).
INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS: Trail Blazers G Damian Lillard donated $100,000 to the team's COVID-19 relief fund and has been "encouraging his teammates to pledge money to the fund as well" (Portland OREGONIAN, 4/2)....Steelers DT Cameron Heyward is "among supporters who have stepped up to make sure Latrobe police officers are well-fed as they continue law enforcement efforts during the coronavirus crisis." On Friday, he had 12 "meals of fish, pierogies and haluski delivered from Bubba's in Greensburg to the Latrobe police station at mid-day." A dozen more "arrived during the early evening" (PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW, 4/2).....Sabres C Jack Eichel and LW Jeff Skinner partnered with Bauer to "donate 5,000 protective shields to Buffalo area hospitals." Skinner also is "donating $53,000 to a fund created by Pegula Sports & Entertainment to help frontline health care workers and others affected" (BUFFALO NEWS, 4/2)....Fox NFL analyst Chris Spielman is "auctioning off part of his personal memorabilia collection to help people who are out of work or otherwise struggling because of COVID-19" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 4/2).
