Buffalo Bills fans are back at it, donating to the charities of their favorite players. This time, the "Buffalove" is benefiting an organization very close to the heart of rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman.
Loren Carriere’s phone has been ringing off the hook. He’s the executive director of Hope for Opelousas, a nonprofit in Coleman’s hometown, Opelousas, Louisiana.
“At about 5:30 p.m. [Wednesday], I started getting emails," Carriere said. "It was just donation after donation."
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After a few messages about their organization on social media went viral, Bills Mafia took it from there and have donated in bulk. As of Thursday afternoon, the nonprofit had received more than 300 donations from western New Yorkers, worth more than $3,500.
To add an extra incentive, a donor in Louisiana is matching donations up to $50,000 as well.
“We’re a small organization, so as the donations were coming in, I was calling individual people that left phone numbers and had some amazing conversations with people,” Carriere said. “It’s just super cool to meet the down-to-earth people from Buffalo, because Opelousas is just like that.”
The organization meets 100 students after school every day to help them with schoolwork, mentor them, and just give them a fun and safe place to hang out. Coleman himself grew up in this program and has shared several messages about helping them out.
“What can you tell us about Keon Coleman, the person?” Scripps News Buffalo reporter Derek Heid asked.
“What you experienced [Saturday at Coleman's first team press conference] is just a normal day for Keon,” Carriere said. “He is just going to continue to be him, show you who he is, and have fun in the process.”
This is the start of Keon Coleman's first press conference as a member of the Buffalo Bills.
— Matthew Bové (@Matt_Bove) April 27, 2024
Covering this man is going to be a real treat. #BillsMafia @WKBW pic.twitter.com/Hpy2TQmMvU
Carriere said that all the profits will go to expanding the program to help even more kids growing up just like Coleman.
“We appreciate you, we thank you and look forward to building with you," he added.
This story was originally published by Derek Heid at Scripps News Buffalo.