New York Mets southpaw Steven Matz is aiding New York City in its fight against COVID-19. Matz’s TRU32 program is donating $32,000 to first responders and hospitals in New York City that are fighting the virus.
The 28-year-old started the TRU32 program in 2015 as a way to thank first responders and all those who serve in the NYPD, FDNY and US military.
During each TRU32 Mets game that has been held since the initiative began, a group of 32 first responders, firefighters, police officers and military members were invited to meet Matz and enjoy the game with a guest. The program also funds scholarships for the children of first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty.
Matz hosts an annual bowling event called “Strikes with Steven” to raise money for TRU32. The most recent event was held on Nov. 7, 2019 in Manhattan, and was attended by some former Mets including Ron Darling and John Franco.
Matz’s TRU32 program is an extension of Pastime for Patriots, which is a nonprofit initiative that former MLB reliever Brad Ziegler started “to honor all members of our armed forces and their families for their extreme sacrifice to our country by providing educationally-based financial assistance to military children and family-friendly activities for military members and their families.”
