Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin to visit Erie on Saturday for Global Youth Service Day
Editor's note: This story has been updated from a previous version. Hamlin will not be throwing out a ceremonial first pitch before the Seawolves’ 1:35 p.m. game Saturday because of a prior obligation.
Erie children started collecting toys for Damar Hamlin’s foundation months ago.
Now they’ll be able to hand-deliver their gifts to the Buffalo Bills safety.
Hamlin will speak Saturday at the Youth Leadership Institute of Erie’s Global Youth Service Day event at East Middle School. He’ll also receive a sizable donation to his foundation’s community toy drive, which has seen an influx of support in the months following Hamlin’s on-field health crisis.
Saturday’s celebration of Global Youth Service Day will feature workshops, training sessions and raffles centered around this year’s theme ― health and wellness. Hamlin will address the audience during the event, and there will be a charity concert from 3-5 p.m.
Same-day tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at East Middle School, 1001 Atkins St. Admission is free, but attendees are asked to bring a toy to donate.
“The young people actually brought this to my attention and wanted to do something for (Hamlin),” said Edison Nicholson, the institute’s founder and CEO. “I’m so glad Damar took time out of his schedule to be here. It’s sort of like a big ‘thank you’ to the young people who have reached out to Damar in an emotional way.”
Erie's toy collection grows for Hamlin's foundation
Hamlin held community toy drives in Buffalo and in his hometown near Pittsburgh before suffering cardiac arrest during a Jan. 2 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Since then, his Chasing M’s Foundation has garnered nationwide support, especially through the donation of toys.
April: Damar Hamlin back on the field with Bills teammates
A stash of toys has grown at the institute for months. In February, Nicholson contacted Hamlin’s mother about picking them up. She ensured that the 25-year-old would make the trip to do so.
“(Hamlin’s message) is right in line with what we teach,” Nicholson said. “We provide a leadership development training program for high school students and that program teaches about perseverance, leadership and how to get right back up even though you fall.”
Saturday will begin with an In the Huddle meeting led by Dr. Anthony Snow, the honorary chairperson, and will give way to workshops with community leaders on CPR and first-aid training, using a defibrillator, healthy eating and more.
Lunch will be provided around 1 p.m. before Snow will speak, award prizes and lead attendees to the concert. Four local acts will appear during the concert, including a comedian, a dance group, a mime act and a 13-year-old performer who attends Wilson Middle School. Afterward, Hamlin will speak and receive a key to the City of Erie from Mayor Joe Schember.
Health awareness for youth
One of the Youth Leadership Institute’s hopes, Nicholson said, is to combat widespread lack of preparedness for cardiac events such as Hamlin’s.
“I think (Hamlin) brought light to a problem that exists and I’m glad we’re looking to take a bite out of it Saturday because our young people need to be able to give this type of treatment when it’s needed,” Nicholson said.
Global Youth Service Day, which celebrates 35 years in 2023, is the longest-running youth participation event in the world and asks youths to work together for the common good.
Contact Jeff Uveino at juveino@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter@realjuveino.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Bills safety Damar Hamlin to visit Erie Saturday for Youth Service Day
