Pegula Sports and Entertainment has pledged to donate at least $1.2 million to Western New York residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, Buffalo Bills and Sabres owners Terry and Kim Pegula announced Wednesday.
“We realize we are in uncertain times as a nation and as a community,” PSE president and CEO Kim Pegula said in a statement. “Like many Western New Yorkers, we are faced with making difficult decisions, but we realize that focusing on the health and welfare of our community is what will get us through these difficult times.”
Money from the Bills and Sabres foundations will be contributed to the Western New York COVID-19 Community Response Fund, a new organization formed by 18 local foundations.
Other money will be given to FeedMore WNY and the Rural Outreach Center to provide bags of groceries.
The rest of the aid will be donated to “areas of the most pressing need,” according to PSE. Some of that money will be allocated to first responders, hospital workers, nurses and for protective medical equipment and supplies.
The NHL suspended its season indefinitely March 12 because of coronavirus.
On March 14, PSE, players, staff and the Sabres foundation pledged to help pay the lost wages of game day arena employees if games are canceled.
