As part of our collective efforts to #stayhomestaystrong, United Way for Southeastern Michigan announced today the launch of a virtual hangout fundraiser with National Football League (NFL) players. This 14-day campaign to raise resources for COVID-19 relief gives fans and followers the chance to win a 30-minute virtual hangout with an NFL player.
Fans can enter to win by visiting unitedway.org/hangout. Donations start at $10. Each player offers a list of activities from which winners can choose. Sample hangouts include virtual workout, lunch, Q&A, gaming session, jam session, cooking class, story time, dance-off, etc. The sweepstakes, powered by Ascend, will run from May 18-31, 2020. The hangouts are scheduled to occur between June 1-14, 2020.
Each current or former player is offering a variety of fan experiences for the winner of the contest. Lions’ center Frank Ragnow is offering a chance for fans to experience a fishing session with him, a workout, or a cooking session. Glover Quin is offering a chance to be his virtual co-host for a Live YouTube show, a workout, or virtual story time with him. Former Detroit Lions Cliff Avril and Brandon Carr are also participating.
“We are proud to offer unique and creative ways for fans to engage with NFL players, while also raising money to help people impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Darienne Hudson, president and CEO of United Way for Southeastern Michigan “Even as communities begin to look at ways to transition to a post-COVID-19 existence, we know there are families that will continue to feel the economic impact of this crisis for quite some time. Every dollar raised and every hour of volunteer support is vitally important.”
Participants include:
| PLAYER NAME | TEAM | DESIGNATED UNITED WAY |
| Johnathan Abram | Las Vegas Raiders | United Way of Southern Nevada |
| Sam Acho | Free Agent | United Way of Metro Chicago |
| Lorenzo Alexander | Buffalo Bills (Retired) | United Way of Buffalo & Erie County |
| Cliff Avril | Seattle Seahawks (Retired) | United Way of King County |
| Bene’ Benwikere | Free Agent | United Way of Southern Nevada |
| Brandon Carr | Free Agent | United Way of Genesee County |
| Kenny Clark | Green Bay Packers | Brown County United Way |
| Te’Von Coney | Las Vegas Raiders | United Way of Palm Beach County |
| Demario Davis | New Orleans Saints | United Way of Southeast Louisiana |
| Chris Draft | Atlanta Falcons (Retired) | United Way Greater Atlanta |
| Malcolm Jenkins | New Orleans Saints | United Way of Southeast Louisiana |
| Shaq Lawson | Philadelphia Eagles | United Way of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey |
| Chris Long | Philadelphia Eagles (Retired) | United Way of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey |
| Glover Quin | Detroit Lions (Retired) | United Way for Southeastern Michigan |
| Frank Ragnow | Detroit Lions | United Way for Southeastern Michigan |
| D.J. Reader | Cincinnati Bengals | United Way of Greater Cincinnati |
| Dalton Risner | Denver Broncos | Mile High United Way |
| Johnny Stanton | Cleveland Browns | United Way of Lorain County |
| Neiko Thorpe | Seattle Seahawks | United Way of King County |
| K’Von Wallace | Philadelphia Eagles | United Way of Greater Philadelphia & Southern New Jersey |
| Benjamin Watson | Patriots (Retired) | United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley |
No purchase is necessary to enter or win this sweepstakes. Odds of winning a prize depend upon the total number of eligible entries for that prize. A donation or payment will not increase your chances of winning. Void where otherwise prohibited or restricted by law. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply. See Official and Campaign Supplemental Rules.
About United Way for Southeastern Michigan
United Way for Southeastern Michigan, a member of the United Way Worldwide network and an independently governed 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, works to help households become stable and ensure children have the support they need to thrive. For more than 100 years, United Way has been a leader in creating positive, measurable, and sustainable change in communities throughout southeast Michigan. United Way works in partnership with donors, agencies, corporate and municipal partners to help families meet their basic needs of housing, food, health care and family finances, and ensure children start school ready to learn and graduate ready for life. To give, advocate, volunteer or learn more, visit UnitedWaySEM.org.
# # #