Annual Back-to-School Drive for Youth

JOINED BY BUFFALO PAL, AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, BUFFALO BILLS FOUNDATION AND MANY PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS, THE EVENT PROVIDES FREE BACKPACKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES EACH YEAR AND INCLUDES A YOUTH FOOTBALL CLINIC, GAMES, FOOD AND BARBERS PROVIDING FREE HAIRCUTS AND BRAIDS.  EACH YEAR, HANDS-ONLY CPR TRAINING IS PROVIDED THROUGH HAMLIN’S PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, HELPING TO CREATE A RIPPLE EFFECT OF CHANGE TO SAVE LIVES.

The Damar Hamlin Youth Football Camp

One of Hamlin’s favorite days each year, the camp involves hundreds of 5-12 year olds learning skills and connecting with Damar, who coaches the day-long event.  As part of the camp, Hands-Only CPR training is offered to the community, raising awareness of the power CPR provides to help save lives.


The Chasing M’s Celebrity Basketball game

Each year, Hamlin hosts a high-energy celebrity game, including basketball or softball, attended by hundreds of people.  This tradition has allowed Hamlin to give back to his hometown, with proceeds from the event benefitting the charity and community programs.

The Chasing M’s vs. Jaster All-Star Football Game

A tradition Hamlin created to showcase the talent of young athletes, this competition is far more than a game.  With no kickers or punters, a 40-yard dash to start the game and a rule that if a player didn’t celebrate, they got reprimanded, this game is an intense and exciting tradition Hamlin hosts each year. In 2024, the game went down to the wire, and the first player who did a Chasing M’s celebration got an NIL deal from Hamlin.

Operation Clean-Up

In July of 2024, Damar and the Chasing M’s Foundation team joined Houston rapper and philanthropist Trae Tha Truth to hold Operation Clean Up, to help families impacted by Hurricane Beryl.

Each year, Trae hosts Traeday weekend which involves a wide range of events and activities to give back and celebrate the people of Houston. Hurricane Beryl tore through the city just ahead of the planned weekend of events, resulting in the loss of life, damage to homes and with thousands of people without power during soaring heat. Damar and his team joined Trae in the community to help clean up neighborhoods, remove trees and help families get access to their homes. The day was capped off with a free community Dodgeball game in which Chasing M’s took a 2-1 victory over Trae’s Angel by Nature.

Community TOY drive

Toy Drive

Damar will never forget where he came from, and he is committed to using his platform to positively impact the community that raised him.

To deliver that impact, the first program of the Chasing M’s Foundation was launching the annual Community Toy Drive in 2020.

The toy drive continues to grow, delivering thousands of dollars worth of bikes, books and toys during a fun-filled evening of community and holiday joy each year. 

In 2024, Hamlin also presented a check in support of Welcome to the Table, an organization started in 2018 by community leader Marlene Banks, to help address food insecurity.  The nonprofit provides residents with a hot meal and the compassion, dignity, and respect they deserve.

SUPPORT FOR OUR YOUTH

The Chasing M’s Foundation has provided ongoing support for youth with a focus on mentoring kids and providing resources for boys and girls in his hometown community of Sto-Rox, in McKees Rocks. Through the Sto-Rox Little Vikings Youth Sports Organization, the kids continue to show up and work hard as part of the youth football and cheerleading program.  

In 2023, Chasing M’s helped Sto-Rox send teams to Florida to compete in the UYFL National Championship tournament, giving the kids a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel and compete at a national level.  Chasing M’s has consistently supported the kids by providing uniforms, supplies, and funds for program fees and resources.   

Through the support of the Chasing M's Foundation and the NFL Foundation, the program is defined not just by scoreboard wins, —it embodies a spirit of unity, perseverance, and dedication. Our community is filled with pride for this program and looks forward to each season.