Sabres family contributing during COVID-19 crisis

In these unprecedented times, everyone is doing what they can to support their neighbors in need and the medical personnel treating those infected with COVID-19.

Here are just some of the ways the Buffalo Sabres are contributing:

Jack Eichel

Captain Jack Eichel purchased 5,000 personal protective equipment masks from hockey equipment manufacturer Bauer that will be distributed to various hospitals throughout Western New York.

Tweet from @Jackeichel15: Happy to support our hospitals of WNY with the help of @BauerHockey pic.twitter.com/VcfvYRDezc

"I am so thankful to all those medical professionals that are on the front lines taking care of our community in the battle against this virus," Eichel said in a statement on April 1.

"The dedication to Western New York that they continue to show is incredible. I am happy to work with my friends at Bauer to purchase these masks. Hopefully, they will help play a part in keeping our hospital workers safer and healthier."

Bauer Hockey and Cascade Lacrosse, both owned by Peak Achievement Athletics, Tweet from @Jackeichel15: Happy to support our hospitals of WNY with the help of @BauerHockey pic.twitter.com/VcfvYRDezc that they would switch from manufacturing sports equipment to producing medical facemasks. After receiving more requests for products than production could support, the companies made the medical mask design and supplier information available to the public to encourage other manufacturing companies to support production.

Terry and Kim Pegula

The Pegulas Tweet from @Jackeichel15: Happy to support our hospitals of WNY with the help of @BauerHockey pic.twitter.com/VcfvYRDezc that Pegula Sports & Entertainment would work with the Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bills foundations to provide assistance to Western New Yorkers in need.

They are providing at least $1.2 million in direct community aid that will benefit the Western New York COVID-19 Community Response Fund, FeedMore WNY and medical professionals who are working around the clock to provide the best possible care.

"We realize we are in uncertain times as a nation and as a community," Kim Pegula said. "Like many Western New Yorkers, we are faced with making difficult decisions, but we realize that focusing on the health and welfare of our community is what will get us through these difficult times.

"While we don't yet know the scope of the pandemic, we wanted to ensure that we were able to give some immediate assistance to those in need and those fighting on the front lines. We applaud the community relief fund and are proud that our foundations will join these community leaders in their efforts.

"Terry and I have always believed that something positive can come out of something negative, and we pray this situation is no exception."

Jeff Skinner

Forward Jeff Skinner posted an Instagram video on April 1 to share his support of those who are dealing with the crisis firsthand and thar he has donated $53,000 to the fund established by the Pegulas.

Instagram from @jeffskinner: Thank you to all of our First Responders and Hospital Workers on the front lines

"I know, unfortunately, not everyone is able to stay home during these difficult times so I want to say thank you to all our hospital workers that on the front lines, helping to care for those that have been affected by the virus," he said.

With other donations to his hometown of Markham, Ontario and to Kitchener, Ontario, where he played junior hockey, Skinner has donated $159,000 Tweet from @Jackeichel15: Happy to support our hospitals of WNY with the help of @BauerHockey pic.twitter.com/VcfvYRDezc.

"I think it's important to make sure you're trying to help as many people as possible," Skinner said. "Speaking to the representatives from each organization, I think it goes without saying it's a very difficult time for everyone right now.

"It's nice to be able to give back. They showed a tremendous amount of gratitude and they're working extremely hard just like a lot of people are to try and help everyone that needs support and to try and get through this thing."

Future Goals Program moves online

The National Hockey League Players' Association and the National Hockey League, who both remain committed to supporting their fans and families during this ever-changing and difficult time, will now be providing free remote access to Hockey Scholar -- the hockey-themed STEM curriculum for elementary and middle-school-aged students, powered by EVERFI and part of the NHL & NHLPA Future Goals Program.

For the first time since its launch in 2014, the Hockey Scholar program, which consists of 12 learning modules, will be available for both teachers and parents to access. Up until now, the program has only been available through educational institutions and educators. In Buffalo, the program is Sabres-themed.

Amid school closures, many parents are challenged with educating their children while they're away from the classroom and this expanded access to the Hockey Scholar program provides families with educational resources to support them.

Families looking for more information on the Future Goals Hockey Scholar program, including how to enroll, can access these details by visiting Tweet from @Jackeichel15: Happy to support our hospitals of WNY with the help of @BauerHockey pic.twitter.com/VcfvYRDezc. Families can also follow and join the conversation on social media by searching #HockeyAtHome and #HockeyScholar.

Staying active at home

Zemgus Girgensons shared an #InHouseChallenge video on Twitter to help kids remain active while schools are closed: