Damar Hamlin’s toy drive prompts donations topping $7 million
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A toy drone. A Hot Wheels track. A Mickey Mouse car.
To Sierra Giesy’s three sons, these are fun items. To their mom, they represent so much more.
The McKees Rocks mother of Alec, 12; Liam, 6; and Nolan, 4, watched her children choose the items with the help of Damar Hamlin.
Hamlin, a former Central Catholic and University of Pittsburgh star, suffered cardiac arrest during the first quarter Monday night after colliding with Bengals receiver Tee Higgins.
Hamlin, a McKees Rocks native, has hosted holiday toy drives the past three years at Kelly and Nina’s Daycare Center in McKees Rocks, where his mother Nina is an owner.
During the past three Decembers, the day care has been filled with everything from dolls to bicycles to trucks and sports equipment.
Hamlin doesn’t just put his name on the toy drive. He also helps kids pick their favorite. He is often spotted playing with the youngsters and signing autographs — smiling the entire time, Giesy said.
She and her children have attended the past two toy drives.
“Seeing those kids faces light up looking at all of the options to pick from … that is what Christmas is all about, what holiday time is all about,” she said. “That is what Damar is all about.”
If the past two days are any indication of what’s to come, many more children will experience that Christmas and holiday love. Hamlin originally created a GoFundMe to raise $2,500 to purchase toys in 2020. Donations exceeded $7 million as of Thursday morning.
“This shows the impact he has made on so many people,” Giesy said. “Prayers and donations have come from across the country, from across the world, for Damar. He’s strong. He’s got this.”
She recalled watching the game Monday night and, like everyone else, wondering what was wrong when Hamlin collapsed.
“My son, Liam, asked me what happened, and I tried to reassure my son,” said Giesy, who met Hamlin two years ago when his little brother and her son played soccer on a team she coached.
Giesy coaches youth soccer in nearby Elliott and baseball in nearby Westwood. She said Hamlin always came to the games to encourage his brother and all of the players. When Hamlin is around, the kids are always smiling, she said. Liam, who plays football, said he wants to play well for Hamlin. Alec and Liam made signs with photos of Hamlin and words of encouragement.
Hamlin has never forgotten where he came from. McKees Rocks will always be his community, Giesy said. He learned that loyalty from his parents, Nina and Mario, who are the first to reach out to help, Giesy said.
Mario Hamlin, who is executive director of the Chasing M’s Foundation created by his son, released a message through Jordon Rooney, Damar Hamlin’s friend and marketing representative on Thursday afternoon. Chasing M’s is Damar Hamlin’s clothing and lifestyle brand.
Announcement from Mario Hamlin, Executive Director of the Chasing M’s Foundation:https://t.co/IMIPDyR27N
University of Cincinnati Medical Center Trauma Center. pic.twitter.com/dPCEtjXl3N— Jordon Rooney (@jordonr) January 5, 2023
Giesy is not surprised by the support for Hamlin’s GoFundMe page. The fundraiser is sponsored by the Chasing M’s Foundation.
The foundation also supports back-to-school drives, kids camps and more.
The most recent toy drive was Dec. 22. In 2021, Hamlin wasn’t able to attend because of the NFL’s covid-19 protocol.
Hamlin posted about the most recent toy drive on Christmas day.
His team shared the following update Wednesday:
“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.
“As representatives of Damar, the team at Jaster Athletes posted the fundraiser updates and will work with the Hamlin family, The Chasing M’s Foundation, and the GoFundMe team to ensure the safe delivery of funds.”
The Bills said the organization would continue to provides updates about the fundraiser and work with GoFundMe to email donors about how funds are used.
“It’s a blessing to have Damar,” the team said. “He wants to change kids’ lives.”
He already has, Giesy said.