Anheuser-Busch Donation Fulfills Carson King Promise
Anheuser-Busch has officially fulfilled its very public promise to match any donations that Carson King earned for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital in Iowa City. The Gazette reports that the company donated $920,112 to the hospital on March 6th. That is the exact total from King's Venmo account between September 14th, when he made his appeal and September 30th when the campaign raised over $3 million.
Both Busch and Venmo stated that they would match King's total through the end of the month, although at the time that total was only around $10,000. But the Gazette reports that Venmo fulfilled it promise and gave nearly $1 million back in October. Back in February the Gazette reported that Busch had yet to make its donation to the hospital. But University spokesperson Dana Larson said that is typical for large gifts.
Anyone who generously gives a gift to the university can specify how and when it will be given. In particular, larger gifts are often given over time.
Two weeks after the Gazette's report, Busch made the donation of $920, 112. The gift officially wrapped up the impromptu campaign that began when King held up a sign requesting beer money on ESPN's College Gameday program in Ames on September 14th of last year. The request became a movement garnering national attention and getting over 35,000 donations from all 50 states and Puerto Rico.
After deciding to donate his newfound riches to the UICH, King even worked with hospital officials to find the best ways to spend his money. In February, King announced that he was founding The Carson King Foundation to continue to help kids and families in Iowa.