Tigers partners have continued to demonstrate their commitment to the community during the coronavirus pandemic, assisting those in need and supporting those who are helping us all through this difficult and uncertain time. This week, we want to extend our gratitude and spotlight six partners that continue to exemplify what it means to be a team player.

DTE Energy, alongside non-profits, has stepped up in assisting communities to meet their needs, from food and shelter to funding and volunteers. The DTE Foundation, Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) and other businesses have partnered together to put a computer with high-speed internet, along with technical support, into the hands of every DPSCD K-12 student before the end of the school year as part of the Connected Futures Initiative.

These efforts are in addition to the DTE Foundation’s overall COVID-19 response, which includes matching all donations to the Michigan Association of United Ways and Michigan Community Action in April, totaling $1.3 million.

The DTE Foundation is also supporting more than 1,000 non-profits across Michigan, funding more than three million meals and helping 500,000 families with basic needs. It donated two million KN95 masks to frontline heroes, from police officers to medical workers.

To learn more about DTE’s involvement in the community during the coronavirus pandemic, visit the community impact page.

This month, Planet Fitness changed up its Pizza Monday. Usually, on the first Monday of every month, members enjoy pizza at Planet Fitness before or after their workouts. Now, with gyms closed due to COVID-19, Planet Fitness used Pizza Monday as an opportunity to feed frontline workers at hospitals and care facilities. On May 4, the local Detroit-area Planet Fitness locations donated more than 2,000 slices of pizza to frontline workers at seven Beaumont Hospital locations to celebrate Pizza Monday.

Germack Pistachio and Coffee Roasting has been a part of the Detroit community since 1924, and has always done what it can to give back to the community. During the coronavirus pandemic, Germack is doing its part by sending snacks to frontline workers at local Detroit hospitals.

“We are pleased to send snacks and coffee to our local Michigan hospitals, frontline organizations and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra,” said Frank Germack III, CEO of Germack. “What these organizations and other essential workers have done for our community will not be forgotten.”

SVS Vision partnered with Andiamo Catering and Event Management and Roncelli to provide a meal to more than 1,200 essential workers at McLaren Macomb Hospital in Mount Clemens, Mich. Those workers were treated to kale salad, bread sticks and a pasta lunch, a bit of a change from typical cafeteria fare.

“Over the past several weeks, our community has demonstrated a level of generosity that words cannot describe,” said Tom Brisse, McLaren Macomb's president and chief executive officer. “We are extremely proud to be associated with companies so willing to show their appreciation, and we are grateful to Andiamo, Roncelli and SVS Vision for their support.”

MotorCity Casino Hotel partnered with Henry Ford Health System to donate 2,736 decks of playing cards. Henry Ford’s nursing staff made MotorCity aware of a need to help those rehabilitating from COVID-19 pass the time. The casino stepped up and found a great solution.

Nike announced on May 4 that the organization would donate 30,000 pairs of shoes to healthcare workers. The Nike shoes are specifically designed for frontline workers and will be distributed to healthcare systems and hospitals in cities across the United States.

This past November, Nike released the "Air Zoom Pulse" specifically for healthcare workers. Nike studied health professionals at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, taking into consideration the long, grueling hours on their feet and liquid spills.

Nike partnered with Good360, a non-profit focused on distribution of product donation, to deliver the shoes to healthcare workers in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City, Memphis and the Veterans Health Administration. Hospitals in Europe will also receive 2,500 pairs of shoes. In addition to shoes, Nike will also donate 95,000 pairs of soccer socks with mild compression to workers in New York and Los Angeles.

"The effort is led by messages of gratitude to healthcare professionals," Nike said in its release. "From one athlete to another, Nike athletes recognize the physical and mental resilience of healthcare athletes."

The Tigers want to thank their partners for continuing to find ways to serve healthcare workers and the community during the coronavirus pandemic and for being #TogetherDetroit.