Carson King raises $2,959,336.30 for the kids
Following two weeks of raising money for the Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Carson King has announced his total all #FTK.
Carson King claps during a football game between Iowa and Middle Tennessee State University on Sept. 28, 2019.
October 1, 2019
Carson King, the “Iowa Legend,” announced Tuesday that he raised $2,959,336.30 “for the kids” at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital in the last month.
At the Sept. 14 Cy-Hawk game, the Iowa State Cyclones fan held a sign reading “Busch Light Supply Needs Replenishing” with his Venmo username. When ESPN’s College GameDay caught the Altoona native on camera, King immediately received donations from friendly strangers.
“I hope people take away that you can do something so minuscule as holding up a sign and turn it into something amazing if you really get behind it and have a good value system and a good reason to do it,” King said.
In a statement released Tuesday, the Children’s Hospital extended gratitude to King for his efforts. King has not determined how he would like the hospital to direct the funds, the statement read.
“The funds will help us provide the best care possible for our patients,” UI Hospitals and Clinics CEO Suresh Gunasekaran said. “We are grateful to be part of such a spontaneous, remarkable occurrence that brought together so many people. One simple act of kindness sparked a nationwide cause behind which we could all unite — helping children heal.”
Plans to recognize King at the next home Hawkeye football game are in the works. King was invited to the Sept. 28 game against Middle Tennessee to participate in his first “Iowa Wave.”
“It really was just indescribable,” King said. “The feeling I got, the connection, the emotional attachment that came with it just really solidified how crazy all this is and how much good we’re actually going to be able to do.”
After a *Des Moines Register* inquiry about a 2011 tweet regarding a Tosh.0 segment, King held a press conference Sept. 24 to apologize for the tweet and said it was “an attempt at humor that was offensive and hurtful.”
RELATED: Busch cuts ties with Carson King following offensive tweets
Anheuser-Busch, which previously designed beer cans with King’s face featured on the front, cut ties with him because of the tweet. Anheuser-Busch and Venmo still matched the amount of money King raised. He also received a contribution of $60,000 from Prairie Meadows and Northwest Mutual.
By Sept. 22, King reached $1 million. Following his benefit concert on Sept. 27, King reached $2 million — including an additional $50,000 from the concert alone.
Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe in King’s hometown created a Busch Light ice cream flavor, and proceeds contributed to his cause. Gov. Kim Reynolds also proclaimed Sept. 28 as “Carson King Day” in Iowa.
RELATED: Carson King receives slew of goodies in Busch sign aftermath
After finalizing the donation total Tuesday, King said he asked Venmo to suspend his account because he had received money until 5 p.m. Although his Venmo is closed, King said he encourages donors to contribute funds at the Children’s Hospital website or give2iowa.org.
In the future, King hopes to create a foundation and possibly use his Venmo account as a driving force.
“It’s completely in the works,” he said. “I’d like to start a foundation, helping out hospitals and different organizations and groups around Iowa, the Midwest, and the country, and really keep going — use the momentum, the notoriety, and the publicity I’ve gotten to do more good.”
