Pittsburgh Steelers & Convoy Host Event for People in Need
“I have met a lot of different nonprofit organizations — a lot of different community workers — and Convoy of Hope really sticks out the most,” Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive tackle Zach Banner said.
Banner chose to spend his Saturday serving others at Convoy of Hope’s first-ever Draft Day Community Event, which took place at Heinz Field. This event was in partnership with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Bass Pro Shops, and Sackcloth & Ashes. First-round draft pick Najee Harris and recently-retired tight-end Vance McDonald also participated alongside Convoy of Hope. Ben Roethlisberger and his wife, Ashley, who donated 1,000 hygiene kits for event distribution joined Harris and McDonald to help make this event a success.
Through partnerships with local charities, Guests of Honor from within the community were invited for a Pro-Series event filled with fun, festivities, and hope. Attendees also received a hot to-go meal, employment resources, groceries, books, shoes, socks, blankets, other essentials and fishing poles from Bass Pro Shops.
For Banner, the event was much more than just a benevolent photo-op. “I grew up in the inner city. I grew up around kids who needed help. I grew up around families who didn’t have hope,” he explained. “There’s a couple different reasons why you aspire to make it to the National Football League. One of my biggest ones is to use my platform to help others.”
“Our partnership is more of a family,” added Blayre Holmes Davis, Pittsburgh Steelers’ Director of Community Relations. “Our team is very excited to host this event and help provide much-needed resources to our community. Many families are continuing to recover from the pandemic and we want them to know we are here to support them.”
The Draft Day gathering marked the fifth Community Event in the last two years in which the Pittsburgh Steelers have teamed up with Convoy Nation™, a fanbase of kindness with Convoy of Hope.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers organization is an amazing partner,” Kirk Noonan, Convoy Nation’s Vice President stated. “From the top down, it’s clear the entire organization is generous and truly cares about their local community. We look forward to teaming up on many more events designed to bring hope to families in the Pittsburgh area.”