Jonn Wall is used to handing out assists and has done it again, in a big way, in helping combat the spread of the coronavirus.

The Washington Wizards star and Raleigh native has donated 2,300 N95 masks to be used by doctors and nurses at UNC Rex Hospital and MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C.

In addition, Wall has joined with Chick-fil-A in providing 600 meals to first responders and other healthcare workers at the two hospitals.

Wall, through the John Wall Family Foundation, is making the donation in honor of his mother, Frances Pulley, who passed away at UNC REX in December 2019 of breast cancer. More than 1,000 masks and hundreds of sandwiches are earmarked for UNC REX in Raleigh.

“UNC REX appreciates John Wall’s generous donation of masks and food, and we were moved by his heartwarming support and words of encouragement during this crisis,” spokesman Alan Wolf said. “We’re also honored that he took time to reach out and talk with some of our caregivers via Zoom. “

This story was originally published April 24, 2020 at 3:17 PM with the headline "John Wall donates masks, meals to Rex healthcare workers fighting coronavirus."

Chip Alexander

The News & Observer

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In more than 40 years at The N&O, Chip Alexander has covered the N.C. State, UNC, Duke and East Carolina beats, and now is in his 15th season on the Carolina Hurricanes beat. Alexander, who has won numerous writing awards at the state and national level, covered the Hurricanes’ move to North Carolina in 1997 and was a part of The N&O’s coverage of the Canes’ 2006 Stanley Cup run.