In Baltimore, Johns Hopkins health care workers are used to supporting the Orioles and the Ravens on the field. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, athletes from those hometown teams have returned the favor.
Former Ravens placekicker Matt Stover, who spent 13 seasons with the franchise, wanted to show his appreciation for the many Johns Hopkins staff members, health care professionals, and researchers who are working to stem the tide of the coronavirus pandemic. He also wanted send along some heartfelt encouragement. Along with his wife, Debbie, Stover donated more than 1,500 cans of cold brew coffee to employees at the Johns Hopkins Health System. The coffee was provided by Ceremony Coffee, a local coffee shop.
"During this pandemic, my family and I have been deeply grateful for the work that Johns Hopkins health care workers have done on behalf of our Baltimore community, our state, our nation, and the world," Stover said. "We're fortunate to have personally witnessed this amazing effort and wanted to show our appreciation. We hope that, with our partner Ceremony Coffee, we could spark a little joy for the Johns Hopkins staff in return."
In addition to the cold brew coffee, Stover and former Ravens teammate Ray Lewis recorded personal videos thanking Hopkins employees for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A current member of the Ravens, All-Pro offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley, partnered with Jimmy's Famous Seafood to provide 1,000 meals to frontline workers at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Stanley also sent along a video to express his gratitude for the staff at JHHS.
"Thank you to all of the staff at Johns Hopkins who have been working tirelessly to keep the Baltimore community safe from the effects of COVID-19," Stanley said. "It was important to me to show my appreciation for all they are doing, and my friends at Jimmy's Famous Seafood were excited to jump on board and help me provide meals for everyone working on the front lines at the hospital. Thank you for your sacrifice!"
Several members of the Baltimore Orioles—Trey Mancini, Cedric Mullins, Shawn Armstrong, Austin Wynns, and Asher Wojciechowski—have donated more than 100 meals to support essential workers at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Bayview Hospital.
"The entire Orioles organization is proud to stand behind our players in recognizing those health care heroes fighting on the front lines of the COVID-19 Pandemic," said Jennifer Grondahl, the Orioles Senior Vice President of Community Development and Communications. "Providing a delivery of locally sourced meals was just a small token of our gratitude for the amazing work happening at Johns Hopkins."
Said Alicia Wilson, vice president for economic development at Johns Hopkins: "Baltimoreans love to root for our Ravens and Orioles. It means so much to our institution and our courageous health care workers to have our local athletes rooting for and supporting these efforts to keep our Baltimore community safe during this public health crisis."
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