Blackhawks' Jonathan Toews Donates $100K to Chicago's COVID-19 Relief Fund

Joseph Zucker @@JosephZuckerFeatured ColumnistMarch 26, 2020

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Chicago Blackhawks star Jonathan Toews is donating $100,000 through his personal foundation to the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund.

Chicago Blackhawks @NHLBlackhawks
O Captain! Through his personal foundation, @JonathanToews will commit a $100,000 donation to the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund. https://t.co/tH33DTtali

Toews also appeared on the Today show Thursday. He sent a video message to a seven-year-old Blackhawks fan who had hoped to watch the team live for his birthday but was unable to do so with the NHL season on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic.

TODAY @TODAYshow
There are so many health care professionals we love, and we have some #WithYouTODAY messages to share, including one from Sharon. She sent us a shoutout for her sister, who’s a nurse in Illinois. https://t.co/aUeCaojoPK

Illinois has confirmed 1,865 positive cases of the coronavirus, and Chicago alone has accounted for just 50 percent (915) of the total.

The Blackhawks announced March 18 they would match the first $100,000 donated to the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund.

The fund was set up by the Chicago Community Trust along with city officials and United Way of Metro Chicago to aid local nonprofits. It received $8 million in donations in the first 24 hours after launching.

Both the NBA and NHL suspended their seasons in order to limit the spread of COVID-19. With United Center sitting empty, the venue announced Wednesday it will become a "logistics hub" to help with the "front line food distribution, first responder staging and the collection of critically needed medical supplies."

The owners of the Blackhawks and Chicago Bulls also announced they will continue compensating game-day employees at United Center through the remainder of the 2019-20 season.

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