This year's NFL Draft will include many firsts, including the "Draft-A-Thon" to help support communities around the Country in meeting the needs associated with the COVID-19 emergency. The Steelers have designated two charities to be the local beneficiaries of the Draft-A-Thon, the Salvation Army and the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Steelers President Art Rooney II announced that he and his wife Greta, and other members of the Rooney Family, have combined to provide donations to these two local charities totaling $250,000. Several other Steelers partners are also making contributions to the local charities including: Paul Evanson, Scott and Russ Swank, the Paul Family and the Varischetti Family.
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin and General Manager Kevin Colbert are also participating along with their colleagues around the NFL.
"We are grateful for the continued efforts of the Salvation Army and United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, especially during these difficult times," said Rooney II. "We wanted to rally as an organization and provide support to the local community. We have so many heroes that are on the front lines during the crisis, and we are very appreciative of the opportunity to give back to those in need. I am thankful for everyone who has been able to provide the financial support to assist these and other organizations with their efforts."
This year, the NFL Draft will bring communities together by rallying clubs, players, fans and partners with a three-day virtual fundraiser, the NFL's "Draft-A-Thon." The NFL teams and League Office will be calling on fans and communities to donate during the NFL Draft to one central fund benefitting several COVID-19 relief efforts, which were selected by the NFL Foundation.
Fans can make their donations at: at NFL.com/relief where there will also be a live donation tracker. The organizations whose COVID-19 relief efforts will benefit by donations are: Salvation Army, United Way, American Red Cross, Feeding America, Meals on Wheels, and the CDC Foundation.
"This is an unprecedented time in our local community," said Bobbi Watt Geer, President and CEO of United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania. "Donations like this help provide immediate relief for local families in crisis with food, shelter, transportation and more. The generosity from key partners like The Pittsburgh Steelers is critical to not only providing short term relief but helping us to build a strong foundation for recovery in the months to come. We are grateful for their support."
"The Salvation Army is only able to serve thanks to support from others, and we are extremely grateful for the generosity of the Steelers organization," said Raphael Jackson, Divisional Commander of The Salvation Army Western Pennsylvania Division. "Our dedicated staff are going above and beyond to ensure that our neighbors have access to desperately needed resources, such as food and shelter. This much-needed support will allow us to serve more Western Pennsylvanian's in need who have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic."
