Philadelphia Union announces initiative to support healthcare workers and community members in need

While the season isn’t any closer to continuing because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the Philadelphia Union announced an initiative Tuesday aimed at supporting frontline workers and vulnerable populations in greater Philadelphia.

The announcement of the “Fight for Philly” campaign coincided with news that sponsor Captain Morgan is distributing $500,000 across the United States and Canada to assist local MLS communities affected by COVID-19.

Philadelphia is one of nine cities receiving at least $55,000 from the rum brand, which will be put toward the Philadelphia Union Foundation’s ongoing community efforts.

“The Union continue to be inspired by the heroic men and women who are on the frontlines of this pandemic and are fighting with them,” Tim McDermott, Philadelphia Union President said in a news release. “Now more than ever, it’s important to give back to the community that we love and call home. I am incredibly grateful to Captain Morgan for their support and continued partnership of the Union. Philly is stronger when we are fighting together.”

Efforts organized by the foundation will include the distribution of 2,000 meals to healthcare workers at local hospitals and to residents in Chester, delivery of 3,000 face shields to healthcare providers and 2,000 PPE (personal protective equipment) donated to area healthcare locations and grocery stores.

Fight For Philly also includes some of the Philadelphia Union and Philadelphia Union Foundation’s prior and ongoing initiatives, which include a previously announced game day employee assistance fund that supports part-time Subaru Park staff, partnering with Spectra to donate stadium food to a local food bank and lighting Subaru Park blue as a part of the local “Philly Shines Blue” and national “Light It Blue” campaigns to show appreciation for healthcare workers.

Fans can support the Foundation’s efforts by purchasing Fight For Philly t-shirts through the foundation and those aged 21 and over can submit nutmeg videos for the Captain Morgan Captain’s Challenge.

For every qualifying video fans (21+) share to their public Instagram (in feed or stories) through May 5 —tagging @CaptainMorganUSA and including the hashtag #CaptainMorganDonation — Captain Morgan will donate $25 up to an additional $50,000.

For more information on Fight For Philly, visit www.philadelphiaunion.com/fight4philly.