Twins and Red Sox announce joint donation in support of SWFL Hurricane Ian relief efforts
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL, MN – Taking the next step in their ongoing support of Southwest Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, the Minnesota Twins, in partnership with the Boston Red Sox, today announced a joint financial contribution to five Lee County-based nonprofits to assist with their relief and recovery efforts. The two clubs will donate a combined $200,000, with half going to the Collaboratory (formerly the Southwest Florida Community Foundation), and the remaining half distributed equally amongst the Harry Chapin Food Bank of Southwest Florida, Lee Health Foundation’s SWFL Stronger Together employee relief fund, Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, Inc. and Community Cooperative’s Lee County Strong relief fund.
“Lee County is a special part of Twins Territory, and we – along with our friends and Fort Myers neighbors, the Boston Red Sox – will be there for our Southwest Florida family in this time of recovery, as they have always been for us,” said Twins President & CEO Dave St. Peter. “The Twins have readily given the Lee County Sports Complex to house first responders, stage emergency vehicles and distribute more than 1 million meals through World Central Kitchen; now, we hope these new funds will assist our community partners in their critical efforts to ease the suffering wrought by Hurricane Ian. At the same time, we recognize that much work remains. We are committed to providing our continued support as this beloved region rebuilds in the days, weeks and months ahead.”
“Lee County has been the home of Red Sox Spring Training since 1993 and in that time, we have built a strong bond with countless fans, local officials, and partners in the area. We know how resilient our Southwest Florida community is, and we, along with our neighbors down the road, the Minnesota Twins, will continue to do all that we can to support our community as we recover from the devastation of Hurricane Ian,” said Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy. “We are grateful to the local, state and federal officials, organizations and volunteers on the ground in Lee County who continue to focus on recovery and relief efforts, as well as our Red Sox employees, families and teammates in Fort Myers, who have worked tirelessly every day to make JetBlue Park available for recovery response teams. As we look to the future, the Red Sox stand ready to support Lee County as we rebuild our community together.”
More information on the Twins’ and Red Sox’ designated nonprofit beneficiaries for this donation is below.
Collaboratory is reimagining everything a community foundation can and should be, with a commitment to bring Southwest Florida together to solve all of the region’s major social problems on an 18-year deadline. Currently, 100 percent of donations to Collaboratory go to assist the SWFL Emergency Relief Fund, in partnership with United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades Counties.
Harry Chapin Food Bank is the largest hunger-relief nonprofit and the only Feeding America member in Southwest Florida, servicing Charlotte, Collier, Hendry and Lee Counties. The organization is actively responding the enormous community need in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
Lee Health Foundation, the philanthropic branch of Lee Health, created the SWFL Stronger Together employee relief fund to provide critical aid to the thousands of healthcare professionals who suffered incredible loss in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, many while serving patients at Lee Health hospitals across Southwest Florida.
Foundation for Lee County Public Schools, Inc., which enhances and enriches the quality of public education in Lee County, is currently raising funds to provide relief for educators and students in need following Hurricane Ian.
Community Cooperative, whose mission is to eliminate hunger and homelessness in Lee County while simultaneously inspiring and supporting sustained positive change in its clients, has created the Lee County Strong emergency relief fund to help rebuild in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.