BUFFALO, N.Y. — Within an hour of Damar Hamlin collapsing on the field during the Monday Night Football game between the Bills and Bengals, fans began donating to Hamlin's charity in droves.
Around 9:30 p.m., there was over $30,000 donated to the Chasing M's Foundation Community Toy Drive GoFundMe page.
By 10:30 Monday night, over $600,000 had been donated by over 24,000 people.
By 1 a.m. Tuesday, more than $2 million had been raised. And by 6:30 a.m., the total was more than $3.2 million.
The total surpassed $6.7 million by Wednesday evening.
According to the GoFundMe post, Hamlin started the charity to positively impact the community that raised him.
A statement from the charity was posted on Tuesday:
**UPDATE: 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 being used by the Hamlin Family.
Again, thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and generous support.
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.
UPDATE**
The 2020 fundraiser benefits Kelly and Nina's daycare center in McKees Rocks, PA. The initial goal fundraiser goal was $2,500.
The Chasing M's Foundation had planned to purchase toys and distribute them before Christmas at the center.
Hamlin collapsed on the field after a tackle in the first quarter of Monday night's Bills game against the Bengals.
ESPN reported that Hamlin was given CPR for about 10 minutes on the field. He was eventually moved onto a stretcher and transported from the field in an ambulance.
A statement released by the NFL said Hamlin is in critical condition at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
The game between the Bills and Bengals has been postponed with no new date to resume the game being announced.
You can view the fundraiser here.