SUNRISE, FLA. (WSVN) - South Florida sports teams are showing their support for the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High shooting.
The Florida Panthers are currently wearing Marjory Stoneman Douglas High patches on their uniform and will continue wearing them Friday night, which will be their first home game since the Feb. 14 shooting.
The team is also hosting a blood drive from noon to 7 p.m. in the parking lot of the BB&T Center, Thursday, urging fans to help out.
“I have a lot of friends that live in Parkland. My kids are in school, so it affected a lot of their friends too, so I think it’s important as a community to be out here and doing what I can to help out,” said blood donor Bret Bernstein.
“It’s a humanly thing to do, to help others,” said blood donor Carla Martinez. “If we can donate blood, just come out here and donate blood.”
Before the Panthers’ home game at 7:30 p.m., the team is planning to show a special video tribute and hold a moment of silence.
“Yeah, it’s our first chance to see the reality of it all,” said Panthers Head Coach Bob Boughner, who was wearing a Stoneman Douglas hat. “Obviously, when you hear that sort of news on the road, you see from a distance what everyone is dealing with and the community. Until you get home and see it up close, it’s gonna be an emotional night.”
“I live in Parkland, and my kids go to school up the street,” said Panthers captain Derek Mackenzie. “I think things kind of changed when I got the news that my kids were safe. You kind of switch gears and hope for the best for the rest of the community.”
The “MSD” patch that the players are wearing will be sold by the Panthers with proceeds going to the Parkland victims fund. The NHL said they will also match all of the money donated by the Panthers.
The Miami Heat is also expected to show their support by wearing Marjory Stoneman Douglas High patches for the rest of the season.
The Heat return home on Saturday night.
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