One day at work I happened to be on a Charger fan page on Facebook. Shhhh. I came across a post from a mother that happened to have a 3-year-old son, also a Charger fan, that had terminal brain cancer. His name is Killy.
I’ve seen so many of these posts on social media. For one reason or another, it really got to me. It was touching to see him in his favorite player’s jersey, Ryan Mathews. I kept looking at it and thinking that there must be something that I can do. I had no clue what it would be initially, but it came to me shortly thereafter the next morning. After seeing that Joe Allen — of Strikes for kids — commented that he would be connecting with Mathews to send Killy an autographed photo by Ryan, I wanted to contribute and help make Killy’s Christmas the best it could be from people outside of Killy’s family.
My decision kept him on my mind after speaking with Booga Peters. The connections that BoltBlitz.com has, between Booga and myself, with the players, San Diego media and Charger front office, must allow us to figure something special out for a young boy that deserves so much. After talking to Booga at length, it no longer became a matter of doing something, it was a matter of doing something BIG!
It was done. This is going to happen. By big, I thought that, perhaps, 50 people would find a way to do their part to ensure the best Christmas of all-time for this young child. We had almost 100 people show up and gifts were sent from all over the United States and outside of the country. I am not kidding. Gifts from Japan, hard work to spread the word from England and Belgium helped make this happen.
Within the US, Eric Carroll and Guillermo Sandoval, which I still can’t pronounce Sandoval’s first name, collaborated to design a banner, have it sent to Los Angeles and then have it shipped to my place. Prior to having it shipped to San Diego, the LA fans, under the direction of Carroll, signed the banner and flooded it with well-wishes and prayers for Killy.
This is one of the closest, most giving, fanbases in the country. Fans exploded, exclaiming, “What can I do?”
Momentum was growing faster than expected. Killy’s story touched everyone as much as it touched me. His mother, Amanda Marie Sardellis, provided a documentary video that was filmed by Ron Parida.
Grab your kleenex, folks.
That video, even after the fact, is difficult to watch. And that confirms why this was a mission that had to be accomplished.
As mentioned above, the event was amazing. Not only did 100 Charger fans show up, a few non-Charger fans attended with Charger gear on in support of Killy and his special day.
The number of people who changed their profile picture on Facebook and avatar on Twitter was overwhelming. It was an indicator of things to come. Talk about a serious level of nervousness to ensure he had the best Christmas ever. We, Booga and I, were a wreck for days. And that includes the day of the event.
San Diego media members, among the Charger fans, that joined the photo switch included Derek Togerson, Annie Heilbrunn and Nancy Castro. Another clue that the support for Killy’s family and his situation was strong beyond words.
The UT San Diego even caught wind of the event. Via Matthew T. Hall, an article and interview was even posted on their website and in the newspaper.
Take a look at this link. #Killy’sArmy #KillyStrong
Back to where the gifts were sent from. Fans from Arizona, Connecticut, Florida and Illinois were sent to us. In fact, one of the gifts that was sent from Arizona was done so by former Charger Thomas Keiser.
The plan was to meet at Chargers Park. Despite a bit of difficulty making that happen, we decided to move forward with the beginning of his special day. I met Charger fans at the complex and we all awaited Killy’s arrival. Booga was with his family right down the road. It was time. They then left to head our way.
After arriving to a resounding ovation and loud cheering that about had me in tears, the family approached the group. It got really loud. Peters was carrying Killy and then handed him off to me. Booga then “jogged,” he’s not much of a runner, to the office at Chargers Park to pick up a special gift. Because of Craig Watts Jr., we were able to drop off the ball days before the event and have almost all of the Chargers sign it. He then came speed-walking back with the signed ball.
Talk about special.
Upon receiving the ball, Killy kissed it and then continued to spike it on the sidewalk while we moved the convoy to Qualcomm stadium.
Here is where some more magic happened.
I took the time to contact the Make-A-Wish foundation. Knowing that Killy was a huge fan of Elmo, I wanted an Elmo to be at the Q! Then Make-A-Wish hooked me up with Animals for Little Kids. After a few days, that was exactly what was secured. We knew Elmo was coming.
Due to the media contacts we have, I spoke to Dan McLellan, formerly of CBS Rapid Reports and knowing his background in acting and theater, he volunteered to show up as Santa Claus.
Wait a second. Elmo and Santa Claus? Now we’re cooking with fire.
The event started like no other. Will anyone show up? This was about two weeks before Christmas. There is so much for families to do that involved their own families during this time of year.
We all started this to change the life of a little boy who deserved it so much, but he never asked for it. In turn, he changed our lives. He single-handedly changed the lives of people in so many places.
We love you, Killy, Amanda, Valerie Jimmy and the rest of the family. We were incredibly blessed by meeting your family. We all may be Charger fans for life, but, don’t forget, we’re all Killy fans for life as well.
Here’s how the video of the event went from Chargers Park to Qualcomm. The video below is courtesy of Adolfo Villanueva.
Thanks to EVERYONE that was a part of this amazing event. So many people did their part to help ensure Killy would have the best Christmas ever. I have never been more proud of the Charger fanbase. I can’t say that I ever will be this proud again.
Merry Christmas, Killy and Charger fans!!!
Thomas Powell