Oakland Raiders Donate Funds For Napa Earthquake Relief
NAPA (CBS SF) -- The Oakland Raiders football team Wednesday afternoon is donating $50,000 for earthquake relief to the American Red Cross, the Napa Valley Unified School District and the Napa Valley Education Foundation.
"All of us at the Raiders express our deepest concern for those affected by Sunday's earthquake. Napa has been our summer home for almost two decades and during that time, we have fostered true friendships and relationships with the city. We're asking that the Raider Nation offer thoughts and donations to assist Napa's recovery," the team said in a statement.
The Raiders train at Redwood Middle School in Napa during the preseason, but team spokesman Mike Taylor said the team left that training facility for one in Alameda a week before the 6.0-magnitude earthquake.
Taylor said the football teams from Napa High School and Vintage High School attended a check presentation at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Napa Valley Unified School District offices at 2425 Jefferson St.
Raiders legend and Hall of Famer Willie Brown and school district Superintendent Patrick Sweeney will also attend the check presentation.
While in Napa, current and former Raiders players visit the Veterans Home in Yountville and invite local football teams to attend summer practices, Taylor said.
Jennifer Stewart, executive director of the Napa Valley Education Foundation, said the donations will be used to outfit classrooms and rebuild a sense of security.
The earthquake forced Napa schools to close Monday and Tuesday. Sweeney said many schools have lost classroom supplies and materials and the district wants to "get back to the business of educating our students as quickly as possible."
Tim Miller, CEO of the American Red Cross California Northwest Region, said, "We are so appreciative of the Raiders for their support of our work to help the Napa community recover from this major earthquake and their longstanding partnership and presence in Napa County."
The Raiders are encouraging fans attending their preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday to text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation to those affected by the earthquake.
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