ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — If you miss cheering on your favorite Lobo teams, you can now pick up free Lobo merch all while donating personal protective equipment (PPE) to help front line workers. Protect NM – a project spearheaded by New Mexican medical students and Lobo Athletics has teamed up to host a PPE (personal protective equipment) drive at the northeast entrance to Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit on Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Don’t miss this opportunity to support local healthcare workers still fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, while supporting local business by picking up some great local deals in the process.
Fans who donate can pick up free Lobo gear, local food and drink deals, Boese Brothers Brewing coupons, Electric Playhouse entry tickets, and other giveaways in exchange for PPE drop-offs. Businesses or individuals are invited to donate the following PPE: homemade, surgical, procedural or N-95 masks, face shields, gowns, spray bottles, hand sanitizer and/or gloves. Individuals are encouraged to drop-in any time between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday the 16. Fans will be able to safely donate without getting out of their vehicles, as the Project NM team will operate a drive through donation service at northeast entrance to Dreamstyle Arena.
“It can’t be overstated just how much this project relies on the community for its success,” said Protect NM member Sally Midani. “Thanks to local support, our group has been able to deliver thousands of units of PPE by plane and car. We want New Mexicans to know how far one mask can go in saving lives in some of our hardest hit communities.”
“We want to thank Protect NM for working with us on this great project,” said Deputy A.D. Dave Williams. ” The state of New Mexico is in need and we believe we have a responsibility to do our part. We are calling on the fan base of Lobo Athletics and are hoping they will step up and find a way to support this cause.”
For UNM Athletics, working with Protect NM for PPE donations continues its strong community service presence in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. UNM Athletics has partnered with Albertsons to donate food to the Lobo Food Pantry, and the Lobo Club’s #FrontlineLobos initiative has seen department staff and coaches bring free meals to workers at local hospitals and to those on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis.
The Protect NM PPE drive is one day only, Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dreamstyle Arena – The Pit. Fans who are unable to donate in person but still want to help can make a donation at protectnm.com