Jason Heyward donates game check for Jackie Robinson Day originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Jason Heyward is leading a group of more than 100 MLB players who are giving back to the Black community to honor Jackie Robinson on Thursday. Heyward and the other players are donating their game checks from Jackie Robinson Day to support The Player’s Alliance and the Jackie Robinson Foundation.
The funds raised will go to the Alliance’s Gear for Good campaign which helps distribute baseball equipment to Black communities that otherwise wouldn’t have access to the gear needed to play. In addition, some funds will be used to launch the Players Alliance x JRF Scholarship Fund, set to begin helping students this fall.
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“On April 15, we honor Jackie Robinson as the first player to break the color barrier, a reminder there is still much work to be done in our game,” said Curtis Granderson, former MLB star and current Players Alliance president. “As The Players Alliance seeks to bridge the gap of racial inequity in baseball, we’re encouraging players, on this date especially, to consider supporting the Alliance and our efforts to continue Jackie’s legacy of breaking barriers.”
Last year, the Alliance raised over $1 million on Jackie Robinson Day and invested that money directly into Black communities. Part of that help went to providing pantry supplies and COVID-19 resources to families in need.
In addition to Heyward, Theo Epstein and Kenny Williams are members of the Alliance’s Executive Advisory Committee. Other Chicago players involved include Tim Anderson and Billy Hamilton.
In all, The Player’s Alliance has donated $41.7 million to Black communities.
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