Patriots Philanthropy During COVID-19 Pandemic
At the beginning of April, Robert Kraft donated the service of his airplanes to go to China and bring back nearly 1.2 million N95 masks for the state of Massachusetts and surrounding states. After returning to the US, about 300,000 masks were sent by truck to hospitals in the New York City region. I think this may have been the first positive story that New York media posted about the New England Patriots. Jonathan Kraft told 98.5 The Sports Hub that the entire operation was planned meticulously. Those on the plane were not allowed off at any time and they only were allowed to be grounded for three hours.
The Continuous Effort
Since then, the efforts from Kraft and players have kept giving back in various ways. Cornerback JC Jackson teamed up with Nutre Meals. They spent a day delivering meals and some Patriots face masks to the health care workers at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, MA. In an interview with WBZ, Jackson said, “It’s always good to give back to those who are putting their lives at risk.” Nutre Meals has delivered 1,000 meals per week to health care facilities during the coronavirus pandemic.
The McCourty Brothers
Neither Devin and Jason McCourty are new to giving back. So it’s very unsurprising to see the pair donating to a good cause that’s close to their hearts. The pandemic has shut down schools across the nation. So the McCourty twins made the decision to give back to students in their hometown Nyack, New York. The pair purchased $90,000 worth of Chromebooks for children in need in the Nyack and East Rampo school districts. Jason McCourty said, “My brother always said to make sure blessings don’t stop with yourself but that they flow through you. We believe this is an opportunity for us to use what we’ve been blessed with to help others.” The McCourty’s also started the Chromebooks for Kids fund where others can continue to pay it forward to our youth. If you would like to, you can donate through their website, www.McCourtyTwins.com.
Covid-19 has caused stress to everyone…we’re excited to help back in our hometown…click the link to see details on what we’re doing and how you can help https://t.co/kggHN20xRe pic.twitter.com/wqZwvtub9M
— Devin&Jason McCourty (@McCourtyTwins) April 22, 2020
Sending the team planes to China isn’t all that Kraft has done during these unprecedented times. The Kraft Group has also teamed up with the Massachusetts Veterans Support Foundation. They’ve helped ensure that thousands of veterans get proper meals during the coronavirus crisis. They use the team’s equipment truck to deliver up to 2 weeks worth of non-perishable food items to veterans throughout the region. Don Cox, president of the Massachusetts Veteran Support Foundation had high praise for the Patriots and owner Robert Kraft. “It takes a partner like the New England Patriots and a guy like Robert Kraft to make sure you have what you need to get it done.” The team also has organized contactless grocery pickup at Gillette Stadium. At Gillette, veterans can pick up other non-perishable food items as well as fruits and vegetables.
The Patriots Foundation
The Patriots Foundation teamed up with Amazon and Sysco to help the Massachusetts Military Support Foundation. Their goal, to make sure that shelters and food banks across Massachusetts and Rhode Island have plenty of food. The Patriots donated 24 pallets of food, initially meant for Food4Vets. However, many other companies and people have donated. In response to that, they have been able to get food to more than 60 food banks and shelters.
Joe Cardona
It’s not often that people praise the long snapper of any team. However, Joe Cardona used his platform to team up with Ink’d in Mansfield, MA. Cardona announced this project through a post on his Instagram page. The partnership is selling T-shirts that have “Essential Together” written on the front and “Thank you for doing your job when we need you most” on the back. 100% of the profits for this shirt will be benefiting the Fisher House of Boston, whose mission is to “provide a home away from home where military families can stay while a loved one is receiving in-house treatment.”
In Conclusion
While everyone tries to get used to this new, temporary normal, people throughout the entire New England Patriots organization have donated to the cause. They’re trying to help ease the burden for families and veterans in the Northeast region. I would expect to see the ways the Patriots and players have given back to continue to grow.
-Jess Donahue (@jldx392)