Since the start of the pandemic, Green Bay Packers’ star quarterback Aaron Rodgers has worked hard to help families hit by the pandemic. Now, he’s donated over $1 million to local businesses in his hometown of Chico, California.
Aaron Rodgers’ Coronavirus Donations
Like so many other cities around the world, Chico, California, found itself hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic. However, now more than 80 small businesses will receive money from Green Bay Packers’ star quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his new non-profit foundation, the Aaron Rodgers Small-Business COVID-19 Fund. The companies just need to be located in Butte County, which houses Chico, and have 20 or fewer full-time employees to apply. That’s all! In total, Rodgers has promised more than a million dollars to businesses from his hometown.
“Small, locally owned businesses are the heart and soul of a community,” Rodgers said in a statement. “In the applications and the videos, it was heart-wrenching to hear about all the obstacles facing restaurants and retail establishments. So many of them are struggling just to stay in business but remain hopeful that there’s an end to this.”
Believe it or not, Rodgers is doing much more than donating money – he’s calling the business himself! Nine lucky companies included in the fund include Nona’s Great Harvest Bread Co., Naked Lounge, AcaTaco, and Cal Java Esplanade – with many more to come! “We’re gonna take care of you guys. We’re gonna send some funds over very, very shortly to take care of rent and utilities,” the football player said to one of the owners in a call.
Hometown Hero In Chico, California
This is far from the first time that Rodgers’ has helped his hometown of Chico. Although he got picked up by the Packers in the 2005 NFL Draft, his heart stays in California, through it all. Meanwhile, earlier in the coronavirus pandemic, he worked with Barstool Sports’ Dave Portnoy to help small businesses around the United States by donating to the Barstool Fund. Now, he’s created the Aaron Rodgers Small-Business COVID-19 Fund. And he doesn’t expect to stop anytime soon. That’s right! Rodgers has commented that he could see the fund continuing even past when the coronavirus finally comes to an end.
Of course, as people in Chico can tell you, Rodgers did not suddenly start giving back when the coronavirus hit. Before that, in 2018, he donated another $1 million to the North Valley Community Foundation fund, helping wildlife recover from the devastating fires that years.
“Whether is wildlife recovery or trying to help in a pandemic, the role of philanthropy and a community foundation in any disaster is doing our part to stabilize the community. This does exactly that,” said Alexa Benson-Valavanis, the CEO of North Valley Community Foundation, another non-profit in the area. “Butte County needs healthy businesses to preserve the fabric of our community, and fortunately Aaron Rodgers and our other donors recognize that.”
Sources: MSN, People Magazine