:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61945463/1054701208.jpg.0.jpg)
In the wake of the shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh on Saturday, the Penguins are putting their resources to good use and giving the public numerous ways to help contribute and to come together as a community right now.
The Penguins will be holding a blood drive at PPG Paints Arena today from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm in combination with Vitalant (formerly known as Central Blood Bank).
Those wishing to donate can find more information about the process and donor eligibility by visiting https://www.vitalant.org/Home.aspx. The blood drive entrance is at the Verizon Gate along Centre Avenue.
In addition to holding a blood drive to directly assist, The Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation is making two donations to support victims and families of Saturday’s tragic shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
The Penguins Foundation is donating $25,000 to the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh, and $25,000 to establish a fund with the City of Pittsburgh Department of Public Safety to benefit the four Pittsburgh Police officers injured in Saturday’s tragic events, it was announced today by Dave Soltesz, president of the Penguins Foundation.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families from the Tree of Life Synagogue and the brave police officers who stepped in to prevent more tragedy,” Soltesz said. “All of Pittsburgh is grieving with you and supports you.” The Penguins will also hold a collection to benefit the victims and families at Tuesday’s game against the New York Islanders at PPG Paints Arena. Fans not attending the game may make an online donation at http://treeoflife.givesmart.com/.
Lastly, the Penguins will be taking The Pittsburgh Penguins will hold a collection at Tuesday’s game against the New York Islanders at PPG Paints Arena to benefit victims and families of Saturday’s tragic shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill.
The team has cancelled its annual Halloween-themed activities originally scheduled for Tuesday’s 7 p.m. game.
Donations may be made as fans enter each of the arena’s three gates.
“The Pittsburgh Penguins join the greater Pittsburgh community in standing up against this senseless violence and supporting the victims and families of the Tree of Life Synagogue,” said David Morehouse, president and CEO of the team. “Under these circumstances, we determined it was not appropriate to continue with our annual Halloween theme on Tuesday, so those activities have been cancelled. The entire city has a heavy heart.”