Buffalo Bills and Bills Fans Making an Impact in the Community Once Again

Bills fans are known for their charity work. Whether it was giving to Andy Dalton’s and Tyler Boyd’s charities when they put the Bills into the playoffs or giving to Chicago charities when the Bears Instagram account made fun of the Bills Mafia, Bills fans are known to give back to the community to help those in need. Here are just a few of the recent events the Bills participated in to give back to their community. If anyone reading knows of any other future events going on soon, please share with Buffalo Fanatics.

Pancho’s Packs

Before the Bills community lost their super fan Ezra Castro/Pancho Billa to cancer, he made a wish to provide book bags and school supplies to as many children as possible. In an article from Ryan Talbot of newyorkupstate.com, he highlights how large the Pancho’s Packs fundraiser has become.

The organization The Teacher’s Desk has set up the fundraiser. Anybody can make a small $10 donation here: https://www.theteachersdesk.org/donate/

Every $10 donation will give a child in need a backpack filled with $100 worth of school supplies. Also, each bag given will also come with a tag letting children know they got their bag because of Pancho Billa. Fans everywhere raised $90,000. Then, Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander and National Grid teamed up to take the donation total over $100,000. This means over 10,000 children will receive a backpack for school this fall full of school supplies.

Huddle Initiative

From BuffaloBills.com, all Bills staff members (non-players) recently participated in their “Huddle for 100” initiative. This event celebrates 100 years of the NFL. The staff members all volunteered their time at Delaware Park in Buffalo. They spent time cleaning and gentrifying the park. The initiative’s goal was to encourage people to volunteer at least 100 minutes to their community.

Bills and Local Police Hand Out Sports Gear

In a story covered by WGRZ News in Buffalo, the Buffalo Bills Foundation, Victory Sports, Mayor Byron Brown, and the Buffalo Police Department partnered up to help local children. The partnership’s goal was to give children in the community sports equipment so they can play sports. Eighty-four duffel bags were filled with the equipment, and the bags were distributed to kids in the community. This was done randomly by members of the Buffalo PD. This not only helps children get outside and play sports they might not have been able to, but it also builds a friendly, community bond between citizens of the city and their police force.

Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight

From WKBW News in Buffalo, earlier this month Buffalo Bills players Levi Wallace and Taron Johnson participated in the Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight. The Bills and M&T Bank partnered to send 53 local veterans to Washington D.C to honor the memorials of those who served in World War II, the Vietnam War, and/or the Korean War. Johnson and Wallace accompanied these veterans on their trip.

The trip gives these veterans the chance to honor those that fought alongside them and sacrificed their lives for the United States of America. It was an emotional and inspiring trip for all who attended. Wallace and Johnson came from military families and were surprised with letters from loved ones showing their support for them. This is customary for the veterans that take the Honor Flight. The two players were able to connect with the veterans and create a memorable experience because of the Buffalo Bills Foundation and M&T Bank.

Micah Hyde Charity Softball Game

Hyde hosted a charity softball game that took place on June 2nd. It was held at Sahlen Field which is home to the Buffalo Bisons. He hosted the event when he was a member of the Green Bay Packers and brought it here to Buffalo. The event benefits his charity, the IMagINe for Youth Foundation. The goal of the foundation is to provide funding to schools that can’t support children in sports. They also provide school supplies for children in need. Over 2500 people attended to watch members of the Bills offense face off against the defense in a softball game. There was also a home run derby. Fred Jackson and Eric Wood even participated.

Lorenzo Alexander Charity Bowling

The Bills linebacker is holding an even for his ACES Foundation on June 8th. His mission is to help those in low social, economic standing in the community. The foundation has pledged $25,000 already. The event will connect those trying to make a difference along with many members of the community and some Buffalo Bills players. The event is already sold out. For more information on Alexander’s charity events, visit his website: http://www.lorenzoalexander.org/