MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said the league would donate $1 million to help victims of the earthquake while Armstrong, through his Livestrong foundation, has offered $250,000.
"Major League Baseball believes it is crucial to help the Haitian community in this time of need," Selig said in a statement.
"It is difficult for us to imagine the catastrophic toll this earthquake has taken on the people of Haiti, a land not far from the United States.
"We hope this contribution will help aid in the relief efforts and we encourage our fans to make a donation as well."
MLB's contribution, which will be coordinated through UNICEF, is being made on behalf of the league, its 30 teams, the MLB Network and MLB.com.
Armstrong said his foundation's donation would go to Partners in Health and Doctors Without Borders.
"Both of these groups have a strong presence in the region and have the ability to make an immediate difference in the rescue and recovery efforts that are already underway," he said on his official website (www.lancearmstrong.com).
"This nation has just suffered a devastating earthquake. It has already endured far too much tragedy and needs our help now more than ever."
More help in the sports world was coming from the NFL, NBA stars Alonzo Mourning and Dwyane Wade, and NASCAR's leading Hendrick Motorsports team.
The NFL and the players' union will contribute $1 million, split between the American Red Cross and Partners In Health.
The NFL and its network broadcast partners will also run messages before and during this weekend's playoff games to promote donations for Haiti.
In addition, NFL owners and players are making personal donations. The Washington Redskins say they are joining Diageo, one of the team's business partners, to fly medical supplies, personnel, and clothing to Haiti.
Hendrick Motorsports loaned a 45-passenger plane to Missionary Flights International, which will send support teams in and out of Port-au-Prince. The first flight is scheduled to leave Fort Pierce, Florida on Saturday and will take 30 passengers and medical supplies into Haiti.
The NASCAR team was planning to fly at least one roundtrip per day, with no timeline set on how long the plane and personnel will be on loan. Hendrick officials have a second plane on standby, and team owner Rick Hendrick was covering all costs associated with the flights.
Mourning arrived in devastated Port-au-Prince on Friday. In a statement released to The Associated Press, the retired NBA star said he and Wade were confident that they and other pro athletes "can work together to make a difference."
His former Miami Heat team also announced plans to send money and supplies, asking fans to give in exchange for ticket vouchers to games.
The Red Cross estimates 45,000 to 50,000 people were killed in Tuesday's earthquake.
There is massive devastation in Haiti from the earthquake. This is just heartwrenching. Let us come together and donate supplies and money, and keep these people who are going through unimaginable circumstances in our thoughts and prayers.
14 comments:
One million dollars from Major League baseball? The St. Louis shortstop spends that much on a trip to the strip club.
I hope nobody more dies who doesn't have to. I mean, I hope we can save the remaining survivors. This is terrible. We should do everything possible to see that the loss is not compounded.
That, and they're giving it via UNICEF? What are they going to do, send condoms or something?
Looks like the NFL is doing the most so far. I think the Red Cross is a pretty safe bet.
Obama says you can donate by going to Whitehouse.gov.
Yeah, like I trust him to get money to Haiti.
My wife and I were prophesied over last year by a great man and prophet Tom Stamen from Impact World Ministries. He told us we would be chosen to fill a need and adopt a child soon. We listened to the tape we have of that prophecy last night and after listening we just sat and wept. We now wonder if this is what God was saying. Corroboration is the surest way to know a prophecy is true. We await God’s word for us in this matter. Both of us have great jobs with no possibility of layoff. Times are hard here but impossible in Haiti and with that perspective and knowing the need is great we fully expect God to bless us though we are still unsure what His intent is. We have always been obedient and always give more then we claim to. Should the opportunity come, I will begin a new blog to share the experience with others, but as of now we do not know what the future holds. There was a blood drive announced yesterday to help the Haitians. We both will be giving. My son wants to but is not old enough.
I believe what Pat Robertson said was unnecessary and caused more harm than good. Pointing fingers like that never helps and I was shocked and disenchanted by what he said. I think Danny Glover has lost his mind as well. Some people will never recognize the value of human life and what it means to God and humanity.
May God be with those who come to the aid of Haiti and may my house know soon God’s intent in this matter. Thank you for the post Teresa.
Thankfully, there do not seem to be very many people who are actually giving Pat Robertson any real credence for his comments. The same for Danny Glover...
Myles,
They're both nuts. Pat Robertson makes some of the most erratic statements.
But, with saying that I am going to ask a question to all of my followers.
Does anyone believe that God allows both good and bad things to happen to people?
I think it is very interesting that the Dominican Republic which practices Catholicism was pretty much untouched but Haiti which practices voodoo was basically completely destroyed, and they are on the same island.
These are just questions and observations and in no way do I think that Haiti deserved such an event of catrastrophic proportions.
God sees all. We see but through a hole in the fence. You he allows good and bad to happen to all. God is in control. The people of Haiti need God as much as you or I. The real answer is there are no good people. This is based in scripture. Ecc. 7:20, Romans 6:23, but the best example is Romans 3:10-16. Often things happen to us that you or I simply cannot understand. Instead of doubting God's goodness, our reaction should be to trust Him. ”Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (Prob.3:5-6)
The character of many will be judged by God through their action or inaction to a crisis such as this. Job did not understand why God had allowed all the things He did, but he knew God was good and continued to trust in Him. Ultimately, that should be our reaction as well.
Nickie,
I am surprised MLB gave any money at all.
OPie,
I hope so too. I hate seeing people hurt or dying. I am sure our troops are doing all they can for the people in trouble.
Matt,
Don't know much about UNICEF. Maybe they have some good uses?
Trestin,
Red Cross is usually safe and good at getting help to the people in need.
Eman,
I don't trust whitehouse.gov either. I wouldn't give them one ed cent because who knows where your donations would actually end up. I am sure God will bless both you and your wife.
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