Tag: making a difference

Michael Jordan to donate his share of documentary proceeds to charity

Brandon King

As much as Michael Jordan is revered as the nearly universally recognized greatest player in NBA history, he is also maligned for his stances, or more accurately, his lack thereof on social issues ( even more so in this “woke” era). While MJ has not played an NBA game since 2003, his name is never too far from the spotlight and the recently released first two of a ten part epic on the 1998 Chicago Bulls , The Last Dance, once more has his name as the talk of nearly…

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Making A Difference: Adidas donates 130 pairs of shoes to healthcare pros at NY hospital

Brandon King

To help them be at their best in their fight against COVID-19, Adidas donated 130 pairs of sneakers to the healthcare professionals at Mount Sinai Queens hospital. “Of course, the ED Staff were super excited to get them,” Mount Sinai spokesperson Kathy Rubenstein said, using an acronym for the emergency department. “They spend most of their shift on their feet and wear sneakers every day. A new pair is a both a great pick me up and super practical.” The donation was helped made a reality by Loic Villepontoux who…

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Making A Difference: Hoka One One to donate thousands of sneakers to healthcare workers

Brandon King

Like New Balance, Brooks and Nike, Hoka One One is getting involved in the effort against COVID-19. As part of its Front Line Give Back Program, the running apparel and footwear Brand is donating 5,000 pairs of sneakers to healthcare professionals at the forefront of the battle with the pandemic. “Right now, front line medical workers are faced with a tremendous battle, and we are here to support them however we can. Their job is to save lives, which makes manufacturing and selling footwear seem trivial by comparison, but we…

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Making A Difference: Nike produces PPE in fight against COVID-19

Brandon King

Teams from Nike’s innovation, manufacturing and product have been working with health care pros from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) to produce Product Protective Equipment in the form of full-face shields and powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) lenses to provide to health care workers. Nike has taken materials-footwear collar padding, apparel threads and TPU from air units- used in its footwear and repurposed them to be used in PPE. The face shields are produced in a nine-step process formalized through a joint effort between Nike’s Innovation teams and manufacturing groups…

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Making A Difference: Brooks to donate 10,000 pair of sneakers to Healthcare Workers

Brandon King

Brooks is doing its part to aid in the ongoing efforts to mitigate the threats posed by COVID-19. On April 2, the Seattle, Washington-based athletic footwear and apparel company provided 10,000 pairs of shoes to health-care worker from across the U.S. Health-care professionals who signed into Brooks’ website needed to enter their name, address, shoe size, and their employer’s name to receive a pair.             View this post on Instagram                     If you’re part of the…

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Bobby Portis and Julius Randle partner up with Hello Fresh to assist City Harvest feed the multitudes effected by COVID-19

Brandon King

From the Knicks team news: NEW YORK, NY (March 27, 2020) – New York Knicks teammates Julius Randle and Bobby Portis have joined forces with HelloFresh, the world’s leading meal-kit company, to donate $180,000 worth of meals to City Harvest, New York City’s private response to hunger and largest food rescue organization, to help feed New Yorkers who are struggling to put meals on their tables amid the COVID-19 crisis. Additionally, Randle and Portis are each contributing $50,000 to support City Harvest’s operations, which will altogether help feed more than 370,000 New Yorkers in…

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New Balance Foundation Pledges $2 Million toward Coronavirus relief efforts

Brandon King

The New Balance Foundation has pledged two million dollars in an effort to help mitigate the negative effects that COVID-19 has had on various locales. Below is a release from the Foundation: BOSTON, MA – March 24, 2020 – Boston-based New Balance Foundation today announced it has committed $2 million in non-profit grants in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support local, regional and global communities. “We firmly believe it is our civic duty to support our communities in need around the world,” said Anne Davis, managing trustee New Balance Foundation.  “As…

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Making a Difference: Sneaker drives donates over 100 pairs of sneakers to California school

Brandon King

A conversation resulted in some students at North Highlands California’s F.C. Joyce K-8 School getting some much needed shoes.. Danielle Jones , who is known as “Coach Buckets” was relaying a conversation she had regarding a student . Jones recalled, “I look at his feet, and he’s wearing slippers. He didn’t have sneakers. The story reached Tom Tran , who is a basketball director with the NorCal Dynasty AAU basketball program, who decided to get involved. A sneaker drive was organized and within a few days over 100 pairs of…

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Lebron James sends food truck for Getty Fire first responders

Brandon King

I have been critical of Lebron James, but also complementary when it is warranted ( that’s called being objective people!). I must tip my cap to the brother for this act. As I type these words, the well-publicized wildfires are still raging on. The fires have consumed over 76,000 acres and are only 15% contained. It has also necessitated the evacuation of nearly 200,000 people, including James and his family, while power outages have left millions in the dark, with a third power cut by Pacific Gas&Electric could leave 4…

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Making A Difference: Michael Jordan unveils first of two Charlotte medical clinics

Brandon King

From the Associated Press  CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An emotional Michael Jordan unveiled the first of two medical clinics he and his family funded in Charlotte, North Carolina, that will provide care to underprivileged members of the community. The six-time NBA champion and Hornetsowner was on hand Thursday for the grand opening of the $7 million Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinic. Tears streamed down Jordan’s cheeks as he said, “this is a very emotional thing for me to be able to give back to a community that has supported me over the…

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