Millions Raised Towards Damar Hamlin Toy Drive After NFL Star’s Collapse
In less than 24 hours, fans have given nearly $4.1 million to a charity toy drive organised by Damar Hamlin and Chasing M’s Foundation in honour of the hurt Buffalo Bill’s safety.
Millions Raised Towards Damar Hamlin Charity Toy Drive After NFL Star’s Collapse
According to reports, Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin organised a gift drive after going into cardiac arrest on Monday night after taking a severe hit to the chest during a game. The toy campaign raised more than $4 million (£3.3 million) in donations.
In 2020, Damar Hamlin started a GoFundMe to purchase toys for children in his community. The initial goal was $2,500.
Tonight, it has garnered more than a million dollars in donations ❤️ pic.twitter.com/1pAnvUETyP
— ESPN (@espn) January 3, 2023
In the midst of the Buffalo Bills’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Hamlin passed out on the field. CPR was administered, and his heartbeat was later revived. The Bills stated early on Tuesday that he was brought to the hospital for more tests and treatment and “is now sedated and listed in critical condition.”
In 2020, at the end of his final year at Pitt, Damar Hamlin organized a toy drive for kids in his hometown of McKees Rocks, Pa. This is the young man who went down on the field tonight in Cincinnati. He is a man; not a number on a jersey. Prayers for Damar. pic.twitter.com/mSa80YklRK
— Keith O'Brien (@KeithOB) January 3, 2023
Numerous supporters of the 24-year-old gave to Damar Hamlin’s charity, the Chasing M’s Foundation. Before being chosen in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL draught, Hamlin, who was reared in McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania, started the foundation.
Still stunned – hoping to hear a good update.
I’m going through Twitter – & keep seeing the Toy Drive @HamlinIsland started in 2020 to bless others.
It was $10k this afternoon. It’s now over $1.3M. Here’s the link: https://t.co/QVRZpv37nc
— Scott Hanson (@ScottHanson) January 3, 2023
“As I embark on my journey to the NFL, I will never forget where I come from and I am committed to using my platform to positively [affect] the community that raised me,” Damar Hamlin wrote on a GoFundMe campaign supporting his charity. “I created the Chasing M’s Foundation as a vehicle that will allow me to deliver that impact and the first program is the 2020 community toy drive.”
Snippet from Damar Hamlin’s YouTube channel.
Dude was doing this before he was a paid athlete.
Can donate to his community toy drive here: https://t.co/fpTtPVA5vC pic.twitter.com/Y77ezrcxEA
— Tweets by Sneaky Joe (@SneakyJoeSports) January 3, 2023
“This campaign gives you the opportunity to contribute to our first initiative and positively impact children who have been hardest hit by the pandemic. 100% of the funds raised will go toward the purchase of toys for kids in need.”
Prior to Damar Hamlin’s cardiac arrest, his foundation had received about $2,900 (£2,420) in donations, NPR reported, citing an archived version of the fundraiser’s page.
One of the people who donated to the GoFundMe was reportedly legendary wrestler Chris Jericho, who donated $5,000.
Let’s celebrate Damar Hamlin rather than gawk at some creepy ESPN reporter’s tweet
Here’s @HamlinIsland’s most recent Instagram post – scenes from his annual holiday toy drive: pic.twitter.com/xI27r34lXx
— Cameron Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) January 3, 2023
One block from the hospital room, roughly 100 Bills and Bengals supporters gathered at a crossroads in what appeared to be support of Hamlin. The National Football League announced that the game, which had been suspended, would not resume about an hour after Hamlin’s collapse.
Bills safety Damar Hamlin was raising money for a toy drive in his hometown with a goal of $2,500.
Today, the donations have surpassed $3 million. pic.twitter.com/2DUav3uY5A
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) January 3, 2023
“Our thoughts are with Damar and the Buffalo Bills. We will provide more information as it becomes available,” league officials said in a statement. “The NFL has been in constant communication with the NFL Players Association which is in agreement with postponing the game.”
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