SPORTS WORLD STUNNED BY EARTHQUAKE IN HAITIMOMENTS OF SILENCE AND PAUSE ENVELOP GAMES AS ATHLETES AND LEAGUES ACROSS THE WORLD CHIP IN AID TO RELIEF EFFORT
The NFL and the players' union announced they were donating $500,000 each to the American Red Cross and Partners In Health on Friday, while the NBA and its union said it will contribute $1 million toward relief efforts in Haiti. Major League Baseball had already pledged $1 million, while the NHL donated $100,000 to the earthquake-ravaged island. Haiti native Samuel Dalembert of the Philadelphia 76ers taped a public service announcement for UNICEF encouraging NBA fans to contribute. He also plans to address the crowd before his home game on Friday, to make a $100,000 donation to UNICEF and match the donations made by fans. "I was going to go tomorrow morning but you have to get clearance. It's not like you can go to Santo Domingo and drive," said Dalembert, who now hopes to visit Haiti next week. "If I could fly myself, I would go over there after every practice. I am just waiting." The NFL and its network broadcast partners plan to run messages before and during this weekend's playoff games to promote donations. The announcements will drive viewers to the Red Cross Web site and feature New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma and San Diego defensive end Jacques Cesaire, who both have Haitian parents. NASCAR's leading Hendrick Motorsports team announced it was loaning an airplane and two flight crews to Missionary Flights International, which will send support teams in and out of Port-au-Prince. The first flight was scheduled to leave Fort Pierce, Florida early Saturday. Team owner Rick Hendrick was covering all the flight costs. At least one roundtrip flight was planned per day with no timeline for how long the plane and personnel will be on loan. World TeamTennis is donating clothing items for children through Kids in Distressed Situations, and the NFL's Detroit Lions are donating $10,000 to the American Red Cross in the name of three players - Gosder Cherilus, Cliff Avril and Louis Delmas - who are of Haitian descent. (Taiwan News)
The NFL and the players' union announced they were donating $500,000 each to the American Red Cross and Partners In Health on Friday, while the NBA and its union said it will contribute $1 million toward relief efforts in Haiti. Major League Baseball had already pledged $1 million, while the NHL donated $100,000 to the earthquake-ravaged island. Haiti native Samuel Dalembert of the Philadelphia 76ers taped a public service announcement for UNICEF encouraging NBA fans to contribute. He also plans to address the crowd before his home game on Friday, to make a $100,000 donation to UNICEF and match the donations made by fans. "I was going to go tomorrow morning but you have to get clearance. It's not like you can go to Santo Domingo and drive," said Dalembert, who now hopes to visit Haiti next week. "If I could fly myself, I would go over there after every practice. I am just waiting." The NFL and its network broadcast partners plan to run messages before and during this weekend's playoff games to promote donations. The announcements will drive viewers to the Red Cross Web site and feature New Orleans linebacker Jonathan Vilma and San Diego defensive end Jacques Cesaire, who both have Haitian parents. NASCAR's leading Hendrick Motorsports team announced it was loaning an airplane and two flight crews to Missionary Flights International, which will send support teams in and out of Port-au-Prince. The first flight was scheduled to leave Fort Pierce, Florida early Saturday. Team owner Rick Hendrick was covering all the flight costs. At least one roundtrip flight was planned per day with no timeline for how long the plane and personnel will be on loan. World TeamTennis is donating clothing items for children through Kids in Distressed Situations, and the NFL's Detroit Lions are donating $10,000 to the American Red Cross in the name of three players - Gosder Cherilus, Cliff Avril and Louis Delmas - who are of Haitian descent. (Taiwan News)
I follow the NBA, but I had no idea the league had a Haitian-born player. I think it’s great that Dalembert is contributing to the relief effort in Haiti after the recent earthquake there. It's also nice to see other athletes and leagues contribute to the cause.
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