How the Phillies are stepping up to the plate during COVID-19
By
Posted on
Sports franchises across the country are making contributions of all kinds during the coronavirus pandemic. The Philadelphia Phillies are no exception.
Here are just some of the ways they’ve chipped in:
- On April 2, Phillies outfielder Bryce Harper and his wife, Kayla, donated $500,000 to coronavirus relief in Las Vegas, where Harper grew up, and in their newly adopted hometown of Philadelphia.
- On May 4, the Phillies and their partners, joined by the Phillie Phanatic, distributed thousands of cases of food to 15 Philadelphia-area food pantries that are helping to feed families in need (via the Phils’ website).
- On May 19, front office employees and their spouses participated in a blood drive at Citizens Bank Park. The private event helped the American Red Cross, which is in dire need of blood donors during the pandemic.
- On May 26, the Phanatic led a Phillies video salute to “frontline heroes” outside Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Health care workers received Phils and MLB Network bags, each with a personal note from Charlie Manuel.
- The Phils, Citizen Bank and Philabundance are hosting a Phans Feeding Families Virtual Food Drive. Fans are encouraged to join the cause virtually by buying food or donating as little as $1.
- The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Scott Lauber reported that the Phillies are among 27 MLB teams that agreed to take part in a nationwide study that could give researchers a better understanding of how pervasive COVID-19 is within specific sectors of the U.S.
- The Phillies are also donating $1 million, like the other 29 Major League Baseball franchises, to help game-day employees who are now out of work.
- Pitcher Aaron Nola and infielder Neil Walker are among the benefactors of the Home Plate Project, which fights children’s hunger. The organization’s partners include country singer Garth Brooks, Cardinals’ hurler Adam Wainwright and Rangers pitcher Kyle Gibson. Home Plate Project is prioritizing the 20 million kids who rely on meals at their schools, which closed months ago because of COVID-19.
Recommended for you
