BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) "This is so much more than a sports thing and so much more than a Buffalo thing. This is a humanity thing," said Del Reid, owner of 26 Shirts and co-founder of the Bills Mafia movement on WBEN Wednesday.
As Bills Safety Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest during Monday night's game against the Bengals on national TV, Reid said it was remarkable in the hours after the injury became known, that so many prominent athletes were speaking about Damar and donating to his charity. "It's a terrible thing, but it's an example of how we can come together."
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Reid knows all about charity fundraising. His business at 26 Shirts is the home of Bills Mafia gear. They produce limited edition T-shirts. Every shirt that is purchased results in a donation to a worthy cause. Over $1.5 million dollars has been raised, to date, for charity at 26 Shirts.
Seeing donations pour in like that, can be met with fear, he said. "Not in a bad way, but more like, what are we going to do ?" Adding, "It's one of those good problems to have."
In the case of Hamlin's Community Toy Drive, Reid expects they will bring people in to assist the Foundation in terms of managing the money and how to distribute it.
As of Wednesday morning, Hamlin's fund crossed the $6 million dollar threshold.
"For me when I keep thinking about that dollar amount, it's going to do a lot of good. It's going to do a lot of good for causes close to Damar's heart," said Reid.
He knows of the gratitude and the humility that families feel, when they are on the receiving end of a fundraising drive. "I can tell you at 26 Shirts, with the families that we help, who are in their own way an inspiration, it's always gratitude. It's thank you, thank you, thank you."
All of this, however, takes a back seat to Damar's recovery. "The story I'm waiting to hear, is of Damar waking up, and being told what happened, while walking out of that hospital."
Hamlin's GoFundMe page posted this update on Tuesday:
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.
If you would like to show your support and contribute to Damar’s community initiatives and his current fight, this is the place to do so. This is the only current fund that is being used by the Hamlin Family.
Again, thank you for your thoughts, prayers and generous support during this time.
Damar created The Chasing M’s Foundation to use as a vehicle to bring lasting impact to his community. The foundation supports toy drives, back-to-school drives, kids camps, and more.
The Chasing M's Foundation
