BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - More than two dozen volunteers helped pre-pack backpacks for students in need thanks to the thousands of donations made by Western New Yorkers and beyond in the memory of Bills superfan Ezra Castro.
Castro, known by his alias "Pancho Billa", died earlier this month after a battle with cancer. Rather than receive flowers at his funeral, though, one of Castro's last wishes was for people to donate school supplies and backpacks to kids. Because of this wish, 26 Shirts owner Del Reid helped orchestrate a fundraising efforts for The Teacher's Desk, a Buffalo-based organization which collects school supplies for children and teachers in need.
"It just seemed so natural and perfect," Teacher's Desk Director John Mika told WBEN. "Little did I know that Ezra's legacy would be so huge and so heartfelt from so many people. I think we're up to 5,000 different donors."
Volunteers on Wednesday helped pre-pack hundreds of items ranging from three-ring binders, pencils, erasers, and backpacks, ahead of their major drive on June 10 at New Era Field. Next month, they'll pack more than 4,500 backpacks to benefit Buffalo children.
"We're hoping for 250 volunteers," he said. "We absolutely need to pack 4,500 backpacks that day. That's why we're doing pre-packing. We'll have three tractor trailers loaded with schools supplies and backpacks that we have to unload, load, and reload. Two of those trucks will be going back to El Paso, Texas. (Castro's hometown)."
If Castro were alive today, Mika said he would hug him for an hour and a half.
"Even though he's gone, he's still speaking," Mika said. "Our hope and dream is to continue this in whatever way it works out annually to remember Pancho."