People often unite behind the strangest things. When an Iowa man appeared in the background of ESPN's College Gameday soliciting money for beer, for instance, viewers responded en masse.
Before long, Carson King had been given over a million dollars to buy more beers.
Overwhelmed with the funds at his disposal, however, King decided to put it to good use.
Man holding beer money sign gives to good causeyoutu.be
King's sign, which read simply "Busch Light Supply Needs Replenished," and showed his Venmo handle, was immediately effective. After donations exceeded $600, King announced he would be buying one case of Busch Light and that the rest of the funds would be given to the University of Iowa's Stead Children's Hospital.
Surprisingly, that didn't stop people from continuing to donate money!
Busch Light and Venmo both agreed to match any donations made in September and Northwestern Mutual dropped an impressive $50,000 into the "beer fund."
King was inspired by the community that rallied around his cause.
He commented to the Des Moines Register:
"This was way better than expected. It just goes to show that no matter if you're a Hawkeye fan, Cyclone fan or Grand View Viking, we're all Iowans, and Iowans take care of each other."
Busch Light couldn't be happier to be associated with such a noble effort.
They've offered King a year's supply of free beer emblazoned with a picture of King himself.
A petition is currently circulating to try and get the unique Busch cans released commercially.
King is now making a series of media appearances to attract attention to September's donations matching agreements, which could make a huge difference to the children at Stead.
The Stead Children's Hospital (which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary of operation), just moved to a new facility in 2017. The new building is especially notable for its top floor, which overlooks Kinnick Stadium, allowing patients to watch Iowa home games like the one King was attending.
Listen to the first season of George Takei's podcast, 'Oh Myyy Pod!' where we explore the racially charged videos that have taken the internet by storm.
Be sure to subscribe here and never miss an episode.
@SecretaryBurgum/X
@Doug Ellin/X
@evanrachelwood/Instagram