Because of COVID-19, stadiums and ballparks across the country are relatively empty this year. Professional athletes are asking fans to use the money they would've spent on a game to instead help children in need.
What you would've normally bought at a game with tickets, food and parking can cost up to about $500 for a family of four. Athletes are asking if you have the means to do so, to instead donate that money to Compassion International. The initiative is called Fill the Stadium. So far, they've filled about $16,000 "seats". Their goal is to fill 70,000 -- the average size of a professional football stadium.
Local athletes, like shortstop for the Arizona Diamondbacks Nick Ahmed and former quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals Carson Palmer, are also leading the initiative. They say the money will go to children living in poverty around the world.
“Their circumstances are affected by COVID like ours are, but theirs are even crazier," Ahmed said. "They don’t have refrigeration to keep extra food, they don’t have supplies like we do here, most of us in the states."
Palmer says he had a mission trip planned to Guadalajara with his family right before the pandemic hit. Since he was unable to go, he wants families to know there is still a possibility to help those children virtually.
“My kids have started pen-pal relationships with the kids that they’ve sponsored all over the world," Palmer said. "So, it is a great family activity. You can keep up with how your kids are doing."
To learn more about Fill the Stadium or to donate, click here.
