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In December 2020, football player Damar Hamlin was gearing up for the NFL draft as he wrapped up his college football career.
Wanting to give back to his community, Hamlin set up a toy drive at Kelly and Nina's Daycare Center in his hometown of McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania. He set up a GoFundMe page to help with his goals for the charity.
Hamlin posted on the page:
"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 impact the community that raised me."
"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."
Hamlin continued:
"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."
The following spring, Hamlin was drafted by the Buffalo Bills.
Last month, the foundation held its third annual toy drive and the GoFundMe page finally hit its goal of $2,500.
A video of the event was posted on Instagram by the foundation and Hamlin.
Barely a week after the event, Hamlin collapsed after taking a hard hit to the chest during the Monday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Hamlin received CPR on the field where his heartbeat was restored and was then rushed to University of Cincinnati Medical Center by ambulance.
In a statement released by the Buffalo Bills, it was revealed Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and remains in critical condition.
\u201cDamar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest following a hit in our game versus the Bengals. His heartbeat was restored on the field and he was transferred to the UC Medical Center for further testing and treatment. He is currently sedated and listed in critical condition.\u201d— Buffalo Bills (@Buffalo Bills) 1672728518
Since the incident, people from all over have been sharing words of support and rallying around Hamlin.
Many have also taken to spreading the word about Hamlin's charity, resulting in a massive influx of donations.
The GoFundMe account - which last month reached $2500 - is still climbing and has risen beyond $6 million!
Several NFL players - Tom Brady, Russell Wilson, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle and many, many others - also contributed to the charity.
The twitterverse is elated and continues to urge others to donate.
\u201cToday I find myself reflecting yet again on the fragility of life and the goodness of strangers who have contributed millions to Damar Hamlin\u2019s charity drive as he fights for his life.\u201d— Maria Shriver (@Maria Shriver) 1672785918
\u201cLast night I saw people from all over come together to share prayers and positive vibes in support of Damar Hamlin, even helping to boost his charity for kids.\n\nFaith in humanity: restored.\u201d— BrooklynDad_Defiant!\u262e\ufe0f (@BrooklynDad_Defiant!\u262e\ufe0f) 1672745409
\u201cI cannot wait for Damar Hamlin to wake up to see and feel the massive outpouring of love and support being given to him and his family, as well as the astonishing donations his charity has received. Truly such an incredible thing to witness. #PrayersForDamar\u201d— Shelby (@Shelby) 1672850204
When I donated, like 2 hours ago, it was around $350k. It’s amazing when people want to come together what they can do.
— TobyTheTitan 🇺🇸 (@Tobythetitan) January 3, 2023
\u201cDamar Hamlin\u2019s charity has now raised over $1M. That is amazing. \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffc\u201d— Madyson (@Madyson) 1672721816
\u201cI hope when Damar Hamlin wakes up his family films him when they tell him about his charity absolutely blowing up while he was being cared for. I want to see that moment so badly. #DamarHamlim\u201d— Ricky \u201cSilver Fox\u201d Lee (@Ricky \u201cSilver Fox\u201d Lee) 1672831109
\u201c4.4 million so far towards Damar Hamlin\u2019s charity, so amazing.. praying he can see the outpour of love the community has shown \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffd\ud83d\udc99\u201d— Rams Tapes (@Rams Tapes) 1672774525
\u201cIf you haven't checked out Damar Hamlin's Go Fund Me for his charity. Check it out. He had a mere $2500 goal. Now, thanks to teams donating like the #Texans , businesses and fans since Monday night the account is now over 6 million! #DamarHamlinStrong\u201d— Randy McIlvoy (@Randy McIlvoy) 1672845131
\u201cLot of bad things happen in life but it\u2019s pretty remarkable to see how people can rally together and raise $3M for Damar Hamlin\u2019s Charity in less than 4 hours.\u201d— Devine Sports Gospel (@Devine Sports Gospel) 1672729074
\u201cI LOVE that Damar Hamlin started a charity for his community. People that give back after making it, they are the best. I hope he recovers quickly.\n\ud83d\udd6f\ud83d\udd6f\ud83d\udd6f\ud83d\udd6f\ud83d\udd6f\ud83d\udd6f\ud83d\udd6f\ud83d\udd6f\ud83d\udd6f\ud83d\udd6f\ud83d\udd6f\u201d— Katherine (@Katherine) 1672756901
\u201cThis is what unity looks like. $5,000,000 raised through Damar's charity.\n\nPlease pull through Damar Hamlin. \ud83d\ude4f\ud83d\ude4f\ud83d\ude4f\n\n#BillsMafia #DamarHamlinStrong #PrayersForDamar\u201d— ChiCityLivin (@ChiCityLivin) 1672787753
Many are also encouraging others to donate their fantasy football winnings to the Chasing M's Foundation.
\u201cDid the postponement disrupt our fantasy league final? Yes it did.\n\nDid we decide to donate the entire purse ($1200) to Damar Hamlin's charity? Yes we did.\u201d— Captain Lou (Parity) (@Captain Lou (Parity)) 1672796132
\u201cRare wholesome moment from the gc. We decided to put the winning amount to Damar Hamlin\u2019s Charity toy drive \u2764\ufe0f\u201d— Zevengers Out of Context (@Zevengers Out of Context) 1672848966
\u201cPLEASE RETWEET! ALL FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUES WHO ARE ON HOLD FOR A CHAMPION DUE TO THE BUF/CIN GAME - SHOULD DONATE THIER WINNINGS TO #DamarHamlim CHARITY \n\nMy league alone is $3000 \n\n#FantasyFootballChampionship \n(Amazing Idea from my buddy Greg)\n\nhttps://t.co/GuIu5yz5yW\u201d— Casey Tebo (@Casey Tebo) 1672847103
\u201cBig congrats to anyone who won their fantasy football league. \n\nKnow some people like to donate a portion of their winnings. Typically to the favorite charity of a player who was on their team.\n\nThis year, Damar Hamlin's GoFundMe seems like a good option. https://t.co/MoPLVDDqEF\u201d— Adam Levitan (@Adam Levitan) 1672792409
Due to the overwhelming flood of generosity, Hamlin's family has since updated the page, reminding donors the page still exists for the purpose of Chasing M's and also thanking everyone for their outpouring of support.
"This fundraiser was initially established to support a toy drive for Damar's community, sponsored by the Chasing M's Foundation."
"However, it has received renewed support in light of Damar's current battle and we can't thank all of you enough."
"Your generosity and compassion mean the world to us."
In another update posted just today, a team member shared:
"We're simply awestruck by the level of support and generosity we've seen over the past two days."
"With over $6 million raised, this fundraiser has become an overnight reminder of the incredible nature of humankind."
"Your actions directly reflect the type of human Damar is himself."