The Predators aren't letting the pause to the 2019-20 season slow their work and commitment to their fans, and neither are their partners.
At a time of the year when the mantra "Stand With Us" is commonplace around these parts as the professional hockey club battles for the sport's ultimate prize, those priorities have shifted. Instead, the Preds and their partners supporting community heroes in a myriad of different ways, and "
Share With Us
" has become one of a collection of rallying cries when it comes to making sure those heroes - and the fanbase - are taken care of during this global pandemic.
From the moment the NHL season was paused on March 12, as the coronavirus began to spread throughout North America, the Predators implemented plans to use their resources for good in the community, just like they always have, and standing with their partners was top of mind.
Preds Highlight Partners' COVID-19 Initiatives Through Share With Us
From Hand Sanitizer to Ventilators, Grocery Trips to Home Services, Partners of the Predators Doing Their Part During Unprecedented Times
During the 2019-20 season pause, the Predators, Bridgestone Arena and our partners want you to stay healthy and safe, and there's no better time to discover the ways in which our community is benefiting thanks to those dedicated to Nashville and beyond.
A number of Predators partners have reallocated resources to produce some essential items needed on the frontlines by those battling the pandemic.
Big Machine Vodka, part of Big Machine Distillery, has been utilizing their locations in Lynnville and Berry Hill, Tennessee, to follow the World Health Organization's (WHO) formula to manufacture various-sized bottles of sanitizer, which are being donated to police officers, firefighters and EMTs in the surrounding areas. Larger quantities of the Big Machine-branded hand sanitizer can be purchased at both locations or ordered online. Complimentary 50 ml bottles are available for curbside pickup and delivery to customers.
The distillery is also hiring employees to produce hand sanitizer and make deliveries, as well as offering refills on hand sanitizer to the public
.
Jack Daniel's and Brown Forman
have pledged $1 million to COVID relief efforts
, and they've also produced more than 14,000 bottles of hand sanitizer that were shipped to first responders around the states of Tennessee and Kentucky.
Ole Smoky Moonshine
has also begun producing hand sanitizer
for local police and first responders, and Tito's Vodka is
working to produce 24 tons of hand sanitizer
that adhere to industry and governmental guidance.
New Amsterdam Vodka's parent company, EJ Gallo, is
also producing hand sanitizer and donating it to Emergency Services
to help first responders and others in need. Plus, the company is creating "Support Your Local Bartender" T-shirts by New Amsterdam/Pink Whitney and Barstool Sports, and 100 percent of the net proceeds of the T-shirt will be donated to the United States Bartenders Guild (USBG) Foundation's Covid-19 Relief Campaign. Fans may purchase a T-shirt by
clicking here
.
The Ford Motor Company, proud sponsor of the Ford Military Salute among other activations with the Preds, in collaboration with GE Healthcare,
has begun producing ventilators
that will be used to treat patients suffering from the COVID-19 virus. Ford announced the initiative on March 30 with a goal to produce 50,000 units within 100 days and up to 30,000 a month thereafter as needed to assist with coronavirus response.
Additionally, Ford is joining forces with firms including 3M and GE Healthcare to produce medical equipment and supplies for healthcare workers, first responders and patients fighting coronavirus. As of March 24, Ford plans to assemble more than 100,000 face shields per week and leverage its in-house 3D printing capability to produce disposable respirators for healthcare workers.
Nissan is
also producing essential equipment
, utilizing their manufacturing and engineering expertise at their plant in Smyrna, Tennessee, to begin 3D printing headbands and protective face shields for local healthcare centers.
Finally, SmileDirectClub has
opened its Tennessee-based 3D manufacturing capabilities
to assist in the production of critical personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies needed to protect the workers on the front lines.
A number of Predators partners have also adjusted the way they do business as they work to provide the same level of service Preds fans and all consumers have come to expect - but with some additional assistance during these times.
Vanderbilt Health is
leading the front-line treatment efforts
, while their research is also lending time, money and efforts to developing treatment methods and vaccines.
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee is committed to helping customers get through the COVID-19 health challenge together. BlueCross has
information, answers and ways to help fans get the care they need
.
UnitedHealthCare is helping fans to do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19. Stay up to date on CDC guidelines at
Coronavirus.gov
, and view UHC's animated PSA, which can be
found here
.
Farm Bureau Insurance of Tennessee is responding to economic stresses caused by the coronavirus emergency
by issuing $30 million in special payments to auto policyholders
.
To provide relief during COVID-19, GEICO
has chosen to credit their customers 15 percent
for the next full policy term. The credit is part of GEICO's ongoing efforts to assist policyholders during this unprecedented time.
Fifth Third Bank, the official currency of Smashville,
has put relief programs in place
to help clients through these unprecedented times of disastrous tornadoes and an economy that is on hold while we take shelter from the coronavirus. In addition, the bank has developed a list of CARES Act programs.
As an essential business, Hiller is
continuing to provide plumbing, HVAC, and electrical service and repair to families who need help
. They are open (in all 13 locations) and maintaining their usual hours - which are 24/7, 365 days a year.
Pella Windows and Doors of TN is here to support home needs of all fans with free virtual visits. Customers
may visit their website for more information
.
U.S. Pest Protection wants to help fans protect their house just like they protect Bridgestone Arena and the Ford Ice Centers.
Visit their website for more information
.
Fans looking to get fit can tune into
Facebook Live at 6 p.m. CT for Planet Fitness' "United We Move" free, at-home workouts
. Fans can get moving with their trainers, and even some surprise celebrity guests for a 20-minute or less workout to stay active.
For parents, who have also become homeschool teachers in the last month, Xfinity is delivering free educational resources.
Learn more at xfinity.com/prepare
.
Preds partners,
Kroger
and
Walmart
, are also doing everything they can to provide the general public with much needed food and supplies during this time, and both are hiring. Visit their respective websites for more information on how you can join their teams.
So, whether it's a bottle of hand sanitizer, a life-saving ventilator, or just a trip to the grocery store, the companies who support the Predators year round are supporting you too.
