Parts of Wrigley Field are being used as a temporary satellite food packing and distribution centerLAKEVIEW PANTRY
The Cubs have "opened some of their Wrigleyville facilities this week to help efforts in the city in response to the coronavirus pandemic." The club will "use the Wrigley Field concourse as a temporary satellite food packing and distribution center in coordination with Lakeview Pantry." In addition, health care workers from Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center who "need lodging while treating coronavirus patients will receive accommodations at Hotel Zachary" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 4/15).
ICE BREAKERS: NESN’s Emerson Lotzia said Bauer Hockey has “quickly shifted production of hockey equipment to medical facemarks." In their first two weeks, Bauer delivered "tens of thousands of shields to medical professionals, but their plan is over two million by the end of May.” Bauer Hockey VP/Global Marketing Mary Messier said of the process of developing masks: “Our engineers just got together and thought about what they could do to help. They collaborated with our sister company, Cascade, … and within four days they had brainstormed the idea, built a prototype, worked on the prototype with medical professionals to make sure that it would pass certification" (“NESN After Hours,” NESN, 4/14).
NORTHWEST PASSAGE: Seahawks QB Russell Wilson is "among the sports stars encouraging Seattle residents to come together through social distancing in an advertising campaign." NWSL Reign MF Megan Rapinoe, WNBA Storm G Sue Bird and Sounders MF Nicolas Lodeiro have "teamed up to promote the 'Stand Together. Stay Apart' campaign." Advertisements will "run on digital and social media platforms as well as TV and radio spots." The campaign is "funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation" (Portland OREGONIAN, 4/15).
BASEBALL AID: Astros Owner Jim Crane assisted Puerto Rican players across MLB in "transporting medical supplies and disaster relief aid to the island amid the coronavirus pandemic." The "endeavor was first begun" by Astros SS Carlos Correa and his Correa Family Foundation. Correa "aligned with other countrymen across the league" -- including Astros C Martin Maldonado -- to make a $3M "donation in medical equipment" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/15)....The Cardinals yesterday announced a $1M fund to "offer financial support for concession workers, cleanup crew members, emergency medical staff and others on the game-day staff who work for companies that have contracts with the club." It is the "second fund" of $1M that the Cardinals have established (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 4/15).
CHIPPING IN: NHL Seattle and Oak View Group yesterday announced that their "leadership, staff and partners have raised" $1M to "support local at-risk families in the Seattle area" (NBCSPORTSNORTHWEST.com, 4/14).....Nationals 1B Ryan Zimmerman donated "some 450 meals" for health-care workers and their families. Zimmerman and his wife, Heather, on Monday started a fund with an "initial gift: $100,000." The "goal for what they’re calling the Pros for Heroes Covid-19 Relief Fund: $250,000" (WASHINGTON POST, 4/15)....Baseball HOFer Greg Maddux is using his 54th birthday "as a way to raise money to help those affected by the coronavirus pandemic." His goal is to "reach $54,000 to aid Candlelighters, Feeding America and Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego" (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 4/15).
MORE DONATIONS: Jets DT Quinnen Williams is donating $25,000 worth of "healthy meals to medical professionals on the front line every week" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/15)....Jaguars OL Tyler Shatley "announced he made a $10,000 donation to Feeding Northeast Florida and Florida Blue's." CB Tre Herndon and his girlfriend, Treyleanna Robinson, "pledged a donation with Feeding Northeast Florida to provide over 10,000 meals last week," while RB Leonard Fournette is "donating 7,000 meals per week" in his hometown of New Orleans for the next eight weeks (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 4/15)....Golden Knights C Nick Cousins will "donate 21 pizzas to area hospitals every week for the next three weeks," a nod to his No. 21 jersey (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 4/15)....Coaches from Buffalo, Niagara, Canisius and St. Bonaventure have joined men's and women's basketball coaches from 18 other D-I schools in New York "as part of the Team New York initiative on social media" (BUFFALO NEWS, 4/15).
