*Team Donates Use of Airplane to
Diageo Spirit of the Americas Humanitarian Aid Program*
LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA -- The Washington Redskins have announced that they are partnering with Diageo, the world's leading spirits, beer and wine company, and one of the team's long-standing business partners, to fly medical supplies, personnel, and clothing to earthquake-stricken Haiti.
Redskins owner Daniel Snyder will donate the use of his private airplane to the relief efforts underway by Diageo's Spirit of the Americas program. Joining the Diageo disaster relief team will be Ken Harvey, former pro-bowler and Director of Responsibility for the Washington Redskins.
The plane is currently scheduled to depart for Haiti on the morning of Sunday, Jan. 17, and will be stocked with relief personnel and supplies, along with clothing donated by the team.
"We're not a relief organization, but there are times when our resources allow us to step in and make a difference, if only a small one," Snyder said. "Diageo has been involved in relief efforts around the world for many years, and we're fortunate to be able to partner with them, Getting the right people and supplies to Haiti is critically important, and we're providing our best resources."
"We are grateful to Dan Snyder for his generosity, and proud to be a partner of the Redskins in the face of this terrible tragedy," said Guy Smith, Executive Vice President, Corporate Relations, Diageo North America. "The Redskins support is going to be key in helping us get a much needed second wave of relief into the area."
"Times like these require help from communities across the country and I am proud to be joining the Diageo team to assist in distributing much-needed supplies on the ground in Haiti," Harvey said.
Diageo, the world's premium drinks company, is organizing a cargo plane to carry roughly 50,000 pounds of medical and emergency food supplies from Miami to Haiti on Jan. 15. Members of a Diageo Disaster Team will accompany that flight, as well as the flight of Snyder's plane.
The relief operations are being coordinated in conjunction with The Bridge Foundation, a long-time partner in disaster relief operations.
Over the years of Snyder's ownership, he and the Redskins have provided significant support to disaster relief efforts such as Hurricane Katrina, survivors of the 9/11 Pentagon attack, aiding tornado victims in Eastern Maryland, and sending relief supplies to Sri Lanka following a tsunami.
The Redskins' efforts in Haiti are part of a larger effort by the NFL and its partners.
The NFL and the NFL Players Association announced they have pledged $2.5 million to aid in relief and recovery efforts in Haiti to assist victims of the earthquake.
The NFL and NFLPA are contributing $1 million through their Disaster Relief Fund to the American Red Cross and Partners In Health ($500,000 each).
In addition, the NFL and its network partners are running pre-game and in-game messages during the Jan. 16-17 playoff games valued at $1.5 million to promote donations.
A national PSA is airing during each playoff game driving viewers to the American Red Cross web site www.redcross.org, where they can support the recovery efforts. The PSA features New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma and San Diego Chargers defensive end Jacques Cesaire, two players with Haitian-born parents.
There are going to be pre-game and in-game messages on both CBS and FOX promoting the Red Cross's text-to-give line (text "HAITI" to "90999").
NFL Network programming, ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown and NFL radio broadcasts are promoting the text-to-give line and NFL.com has banner ads driving fans to the Red Cross to donate funds.
Fans can also donate to Redskins Charitable Foundation partner Operation Blessing, which is providing emergency medicine kits (bandages, suture kits, IVs), antibiotics, blankets, MREs (meals ready to eat) and bottled water. Donations can be made at at http://ob.org/disasterrelief.
At stadiums hosting playoff games, there are in-stadium video board and PA messages promoting the Red Cross' text-to-give program. The Minnesota Vikings are hosting a collection drive at their stadium gates for their game and they are running in-game PSAs featuring running back Adrian Peterson.
Created in 2001 to assist organizations directly and indirectly affected by the events of September 11, the NFL-NFLPA Disaster Relief Fund is a collaborative endeavor of the National Football League and the NFL Players Association. Its goal is to improve the quality of life and help rebuild communities affected by large-scale tragedies.
