One of the best traditions surrounding College Gameday are the signs. College students and fans scrawl their messages on paper or cardboard with the hope of being featured on television, and one Iowa State fan seemed to hit the jackpot when his sign received some air time. However, as his Venmo account balance grew and grew, Carson King decided there was a better way to spend the money.
ISU Fan Turns Beer Money Sign into Viral Fundraiser for Children’s Hospital #CyHawk #collegegamedayhttps://t.co/wDzeUezRx6 pic.twitter.com/7I4ETbw2dH
— Justin Surrency (@JustinSurrency) September 17, 2019
King first shared his story with Des Moines based WHO TV on Monday. He told the news station that shortly after his sign was featured on television he noticed his phone was blowing up:
“I looked down at my phone. My friend kept asking ‘Hey man, who keeps texting you?’ and I looked down and I had about $400 on my Venmo account. I had people from Texas, Idaho, California, Massachusetts, all over. A lot of Clemson people donated. I guess they like Busch Light, too.”
King’s balance quickly rose to over $1,000 and the former Iowa State student said that once his Venmo account reached four figures, he thought the money could be better used elsewhere. He called his parents and stated his intention to donate virtually all the money (save for the amount needed for a case of Busch Light) to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. The hospital is right across from the rival Hawkeyes’ football stadium, and in a heartwarming gesture, fans in attendance and hospital patients wave at each other before every home game.
With all the donations my @CollegeGameDay sign for @BuschBeer has received, I will be donating all but enough for a case of Busch Light to @uiowa Children’s Hospital. We’re at over $1,600.00 right now! @CycloneATH @WideRtNattyLt @ChrisMWilliams Venmo Carson-King-25
— Carson King (@CarsonKing2) September 14, 2019
After King announced his intentions on social media, he received even more donations and corporate sponsors pledged to match the amount raised by the end of the month.
.@CarsonKing2 this is the best thing we have read all year, we’re inspired.
We’re going to match your donation to University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, and we’ll throw in some of that Busch Light you were looking for. https://t.co/NPPrPp6zJg
— Busch Beer (@BuschBeer) September 17, 2019
We see a lot of great stories, but this is one of our favs @CarsonKing2. Count us in for matching the donation to the hospital, too. #ftk💛@BuschBeer @CollegeGameDay https://t.co/thS8JXOXC3
— Venmo (@venmo) September 17, 2019
King’s Twitter profile states that the amount raised is up to $39,000 as of Wednesday afternoon, and it should rise even higher now that national media outlets like ESPN are picking the story up.
H/T WHO TV and ESPN
