Players, Leagues Help Haiti Relief Efforts

MLB, NFL Help Haiti Relief Efforts

The devastating earthquake in Haiti continues to wreak havoc across the Caribbean nation. According to some estimates, between 45,000 and 50,000 died during the disaster. And although aid groups face a logistical nightmare, they are slowly making their way through Haiti's capital.

Amidst the tragedy, sports leagues are doing their part to help. Major League Baseball is donating $1 million to relief efforts, and the league's premium channel, MLB Network, plans to air public service announcements to spur further donations from fans. The league also prominently features a list of ways to help at its web site.

The NBA and NBA Players Association have donated $1 million, and the league is working with UNICEF to help aid efforts in Haiti. 76ers center Samuel Dalembert, who was born in Port-au-Prince, has stepped up to raise money and awareness. Earlier this week he taped an NBA Cares public service announcement for UNICEF encouraging fans to contribute to the relief efforts. The PSA is scheduled to begin airing immediately on
all NBA broadcasts.

At Friday night's game against the Sacramento Kings, Dalembert will deliver a $100,000 check to Caryl Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. UNICEF fund. UNICEF will be stationed at the game to collect donations from fans, and Dalembert has pledged to match all donations made at the game, dollar-for-dollar.

The NFL and the NFL Players Association, meanwhile, have pledged $2.5 million to relief efforts. The league will raise money and awareness throughout this weekend's slate of playoff games, which will be watched by millions. The league is working with both CBS and FOX, the two networks that will be airing the games, to promote aid contributions.

And click here for the latest coverage from Haiti.

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