The Galaxy and L.A.-area restaurant Chancho’s Tacos will "send the team-branded food truck to schools and hospitals around the Southland to deliver free meals to medical workers and volunteers." Meanwhile, LAFC "donated a pallet of fruits and vegetables to the Union Rescue Mission and has raised more than $5,000." The club also "partnered with Bodyarmor, Clif Bar and Old Spice to hand out 8,000 bottles of sports drinks, 50,000 bars and gels, and 1,000 personal-hygiene kits." In addition, LAFC is "working with the Red Cross to set up a socially distanced blood bank at Banc of California Stadium" (L.A. TIMES, 4/6).
MLB PLAYERS PITCH IN: Astros P Justin Verlander on Saturday announced that he will "donate all of his paychecks during baseball’s shutdown" to coronavirus relief. Verlander and his wife, Kate Upton, said that they will "choose an organization each week to donate an entire week’s paycheck." Players with "single salaries -- like Verlander -- will receive $4,775 per day in advance pay for the first 60 days of the season" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/5)....Mets P Steven Matz and his Tru32 foundation are "donating $32,000 to first responders and hospitals within the five boroughs" (NEWSDAY 4/4). Meanwhile, Mets 1B Pete Alonso has been "recording personalized videos for people that book a session with him" on video-sharing platform Cameo, while P Marcus Stroman is "using his apparel company, 'Height Doesn’t Measure Heart,' to provide relief" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/6)....Jose Altuve and his wife, Nina, in partnership with the Astros Foundation, "donated 60,000 meals to Kids Meals Inc." (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/4).
HOCKEY ASSIST: The Vegas Golden Knights Foundation, C William Karlsson, D Jon Merrill and D Deryk Engelland are "partnering to donate more than 7,500 meals to Las Vegas area healthcare workers" (LAS VEGAS SUN, 4/6)....Penguins RW Bryan Rust, C Zach Aston-Reese and D Marcus Pettersson "purchased 500 personal pizzas from Fox’s Pizza Den that were delivered Friday to community distribution centers" around Pittsburgh (PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE, 4/4)....Sabres C Jack Eichel purchased from Bauer Hockey 5,000 personal protective equipment masks to be "distributed to local hospitals dealing with shortages" (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/4).
HELPING HANDS: Rockets F Danuel House Jr. "announced a $20,000 donation to the Houston Food Bank to provide 60,000 meals to families in his hometown" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/4)....Titans CB Malcolm Butler will be giving financial support to Meharry Medical College’s effort as a city of Nashville COVID-19 Community Assessment Center. These funds will provide health care workers and first responders with necessary personal protective equipment and medical materials (THE DAILY).
