Mets First Baseman and the MLB Players Trust Reach out to Workers Who Have Shown Commitment to Saving Others During the Pandemic
Newark, Feb. 7 – In an effort to show appreciation and gratitude for University Hospital workers on the front lines of the pandemic, Mets first baseman Pete Alonso and the Major League Baseball Players Trust will surprise four employees with a “thank you” call via Zoom.
This marks the fifth Zoom call of the MLB Players Trust’s “High Fives for Our Healthcare Heroes” national campaign. Through this initiative, Players are paired with a hospital in a city that they currently play or have played in to thank frontline workers for the difficult and selfless work being done across the country to bring an end to the pandemic.
In addition to the call, the Players will surprise the University Hospital Foundation with a $5,000 gift on behalf of the Players Trust to support employee relief and recognition efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alonso, a former second-round draft pick out of the University of Florida, has established himself as one of baseball’s elite power hitters at age 27. Since his debut with the Mets in 2019, he ranks first among big-league hitters with 106 home runs. He won the Home Run Derby at the 2019 All-Star Game in Cleveland and defended his title in 2021 in Colorado.
Four employees were selected by the Newark-based hospital that represent its values of integrity and teamwork. They include: Brittany Bell, Paramedic; Evelyn Bragg, EKG technician; Sima Farid, Social Worker; and Dorathy Mbamalu, Nurse.
Situated in Newark, N.J., University Hospital serves one of the nation’s most vulnerable communities. University Hospital was founded with a mission to care for every person, regardless of his or her ability to pay. As such, the Hospital treats the largest share of uninsured and underinsured patients in the State of New Jersey. University Hospital Foundation is dedicated to raising critical funds that advance the Hospital’s vision of improving the health of the most vulnerable for generations to come.
When the coronavirus descended upon University Hospital almost two years ago, nothing could have prepared employees for what would become a call for unprecedented, timely decisions, shortages of protective gear, and new procedures and protocols.
The greater Newark community has been hit hard by COVID, having experienced the most coronavirus deaths and cases in New Jersey. Despite these challenges, University Hospital staff members continue to provide the best possible care, even as they witness their family, friends and colleagues affected by COVID.
The Major League Baseball Players Trust, charitable arm of the Major League Baseball Players Association, is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that harnesses the expertise, influence, and passions of players to create meaningful and sustainable change in the lifelong well-being of others.
WHEN: The Zoom call will take place this afternoon, February 7 at 3:00PM ET
WHERE: Footage of the call will be available to interested outlets at 4:30PM ET.
Please note that the workers are not aware that Pete Alonso will be on the call. Information about this call is embargoed until the start of the call.