Proceeds from Bregman's fundraiser will benefit the Houston Food BankGETTY IMAGES
Astros 3B Alex Bregman launched FEEDHOU, a $1M fundraising campaign to "help feed Houston-area residents during the coronavirus pandemic." All proceeds from the fundraiser "benefit the Houston Food Bank" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/11). Meanwhile, Astros P Justin Verlander will "donate his first paycheck to the Houston Food Bank." Verlander and his wife, Kate Upton, last week "revealed they’d donate all of Verlander’s MLB paychecks during the coronavirus shutdown to different charities" -- equating to $286,500 for the 60-day timeframe (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/13).
HELPING OUT: The Rays have "started the process of providing financial help to about 1,200 game-day workers," as team employees will "get a one-time payment of $1,000 while those who work for the concession, security and cleaning companies, and some assorted others, will get $500." The grants are coming from a $1M fund that all MLB clubs established last month. There are "about 600 team staffers" eligible to receive the $1,000 while "close to 700 [are] eligible for the $500 award, including those who work for the Levy concessions company" (TAMPA BAY TIMES. 4/11).
MLS, NBA TEAM DONATIONS: Orlando City "donated 1,000 pieces of apparel from Orlando City and the Orlando Pride to support the Million Mask Challenge," an effort which will "create approximately 5,000 masks" (PROSOCCERUSA.com, 4/10)....Sporting KC will "launch the Sporting Community Kitchen next week, providing 1,000 hot meals each day" (PROSOCCERUSA.com, 4/11)....The Bucks on Friday announced that the "organization had raised $500,000," a figure which is "in addition to $500,000 in assistance that was provided to employees last month" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 4/11)....The Magic’s Amway Center will "become a distribution center for medical equipment and supplies as part of the ongoing response to the coronavirus pandemic." The arena, which "includes the AdventHealth Practice Facility that serves as the Magic’s training home, will be used as a staging space for as long as is required" (AP, 4/10).
PLAYER-LED INITIATIVES: Brewers RF Christian Yelich and LF Ryan Braun on Friday announced a partnership with "several local companies to provide meals for front-line healthcare workers at four major hospital networks." The first donation event took place last weekend, with "1,000 meals distributed to healthcare workers" (MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL, 4/11)....Raptors C Serge Ibaka "gifted three massive scarves that will be auctioned off for charity" to Toronto Mayor John Tory, Fire Chief Matthew Pegg and Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen de Villa (SPORTSNET.ca, 4/11)....Red Wings C Dylan Larkin and his father, Kevin Larkin, who is Lake Superior Soap Company Owner & President, donated a "total of 50,000 vinyl powder-free and nitrile gloves," which were "distributed a week ago to the Detroit Medical Center and St Joseph Mercy Medical Group" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 4/13).....Cavaliers C Andre Drummond and JBL have "announced a donation of headphones to schools in the Cleveland and Detroit area to help students impacted by the coronavirus pandemic" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 4/12).
