New York City embraced Jeremy Lin at a monumental level in 2012, now Lin is returning the favor those who need it most right now.
The former Knicks and Nets star is pledging $500,000 to COVID-19 relief charities Direct Relief, which helps provide protective equipment to healthcare workers, and Feeding America, which provides meals to communities facing hunger.
But Lin's donation does not end there. He will also be matching any donations made to either of these organizations.
The New York Knicks tweeted out a video of Lin relaying this message:
"New York, you guys will always have a special place in my heart …" @JLin7 with a message to New York. #LinsanityWeek pic.twitter.com/DvIMeKFrbW
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 27, 2020"New York, you guys will always have a special, special place in my heart," he said. "I will definitely be thinking about you guys and praying about you guys during this upcoming week. I am also excited to be able to share some of the Linsanity experiences to bring some hope and joy, and if you guys want to bring hope and joy to others I encourage you to join me in donating to Direct Relief and Feeding America. I will be matching every single donation."
Lin spent the 2011-12 season with the Knicks, when he catapulted to stardom during his "Linsanity" run.
However, he left New York after the season but returned to the city in 2016-17 as a member of the Brooklyn Nets for two seasons before he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in the summer of 2018.
