Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - While Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was prepping for the Monday Night Football showdown with the New England Patriots, his late grandmother Patricia Allen was smiling down on Bills country as a major donation put the charitable fund in her name over the $1 million mark.
Bills fans worldwide have been responding to the passing of Allen's grandmother, by donating to John R. Oishei Children's Hospital, a cause close to the Bills quarterback. Buffalo native Sue McCollum has been watching from a distance from her home in St. Louis and Monday donated $217,000 to the hospital, pushing donations to the Patricia Allen Fund past $1 million.
"I am grateful to be able to make this gift in honor of my late parents, Frederick D. and Joan R. McCollum," said McCollum in a statement released by the hospital. "My parents loved their family, their hometown and we grew up knowing Sundays were made for Buffalo Bills football! They'd be proud to know they are joining the Bills Mafia in honoring Josh Allen's own grandmother and in doing great things for the kids in Buffalo."
McCollum grew up in Amherst and has been a diehard Bills fan for her entire life.
"I was watching the news over the past month and couldn't believe what I was seeing, said McCollum. "I knew I could jump on this Bills bandwagon!"
McCollum has a personal connection to Oishei Children's Hospital. Her great nephew, Jack Marchetta, has been receiving care at the hospital his entire life. Jack has a rare autoimmune disease called Juvenile Myositis and visits OCH once a month for infusions to manage the disease.
McCollum is the owner and CEO of two Anheuser-Busch distributors in South Florida, Eagle Brands Sales and Double Eagle Distributing. She is also the CEO of Major Brands, the largest Missouri-based wine and spirits wholesaler in the state.
With McCollum's gift, the Patricia Allen Fund has passed $1 million.
"I have always rooted for the underdog, for those fighting to overcome the odds, and so many of the kids at Oishei Children's Hospital do just that. I hope this fund continues to grow. I couldn't think of a better way to spend the Holidays knowing I was able to help these kids, while honoring my parents, Colleen's grandparents and my great nephew's great grandparents. Watching the Bills win the AFC East title was pretty great too, I have no doubt my parents heard the cheers," said McCollum.
