Pro athlete effort delivers life-saving aid for more than 76,000 children worldwide struggling in the wake of COVID-19—and they aren’t about to stop
February 1, 2022
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Compassion International’s Fill the Stadium recently celebrated a landmark victory—the goal to raise $35 million and provide lifesaving aid to 70,000 children who have been affected by the pandemic has been surpassed! Over 76,000 recently registered in the Compassion program have received food, supplies, and other necessary items.
Even as the impressive goal is reached, the Compassion team is continuing the campaign into the new year. There are many more children around the world in need of critical food, medical care, and other support.
As the team celebrates, one key advocate for the Fill the Stadium initiative is taking a moment to reflect on the impressive accomplishment. Former NFL quarterback Carson Palmer committed to donating $300,000 himself—and challenged others to match that donation. Now that the goal has been reached, Palmer is grateful for the opportunity to provide support to so many children around the world.
“When you think about all the children, 70,000 kids that Compassion wasn’t able to reach this year because of COVID, it breaks my heart,” said Palmer. “What we accomplished through this initiative is to stand in the gap for all these kids and provide life-saving aid during such a trying situation.”
Joining Palmer in co-leadership roles for Fill the Stadium efforts are such standout professional athletes as Nate Solder, New York Giants offensive tackle; Chris Davis, former Baltimore Oriole first baseman, Alyssa Naeher, a member of the U.S. Olympic and World Cup Women’s Soccer Team; Case Keenum, Cleveland Browns quarterback; Nick Foles, professional football MVP quarterback; Adam Engel of the Chicago White Sox; Sam Burns, PGA TOUR golfer; Nick Ahmed of the Arizona Diamondbacks; Jordy Nelson, former professional wide receiver; Devin and Jason McCourty, NFL defensive backs; Jaccob Slavin of the Carolina Hurricanes; Brock Huard, FOX sports broadcaster and former professional quarterback; and many others.
Compassion CEO and President Santiago “Jimmy” Mellado commented, “Now that the goal for this initiative has been met, my prayer is that the resourced world won’t move on too quickly and forget about the rest of their under-resourced brothers and sisters who desperately need their assistance. They continue to need our support both financially and spiritually.
“There are still so many children that desperately need our support.”
To learn more about Fill the Stadium, visit their website, as well as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Compassion Internationalis a Christian child development organization working to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Founded in 1952, Compassion partners with more than 8,000 local churches in 25 program countries to deliver spiritual, economic, social, and physical care to over two million babies, children, and young adults in poverty. Ranked No. 8 in Forbes’ America’s Top Charities List in 2020, Compassion is a founding member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and an accredited charity with the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. For more information, visit compassion.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
###
