The New York Giants announced Tuesday that they will donate $500,000 to assist victims of Superstorm Sandy, which ravaged parts of New Jersey and New York last week. The donation will be divided evenly between the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund and the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City.
"The New York metropolitan area sustained extensive and devastating damage to its infrastructure in Hurricane Sandy," Giants owners John Mara and Steve Tisch said in a statement released by the team. "The Giants want to do everything we can to assist our neighbors, fans and friends. Toward that end, after careful consideration, we have decided to make donations to these two very worthy funds. We are in this for the long haul and will continue to assist relief efforts in our hard-hit region."
The Giants also raised food and money for victims through an annual food drive at MetLife Stadium before Sunday's 24-20 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was their most successful drive ever, with fans donating 38,405 pounds of food and $18,723.
Giants players also volunteered to help victims in need. The Giants said Steve Weatherford, Prince Amukamara, David Douglas, Brandon Mosley, Matt Broha, Terrence Fredrick, Laron Scott distributed food in New Jersey. Justin Tuck, Kevin Boothe, Lawrence Tynes, David Baas, Domenik Hixon, Bear Pascoe and Jim Cordle worked at the New Jersey Food bank separating food items and making sandwiches for relief workers. Quarterback Eli Manning assisted the American Red Cross in its efforts on Staten Island.
Last week the NFL and the NFL Players Association announced a $1 million donation to relief efforts.