A photo of Youth Football Camp with Damar Hamlin (bottom right). (Photo courtesy of Chasing M’s Foundation)

By Lourdes Daughtry, West Hills Gazette

Damar Hamlin, a safety with the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and a McKees Rocks native, will bring his annual Chasing M’s Foundation All-Star Weekend back to his hometown for three days starting Friday, June 13.

Kelley Denny, a spokesperson for the foundation, said the three-day celebration involves youth empowerment, CPR awareness and community building through sports and entertainment.

The weekend begins Friday with a free Youth Football Camp at Sto-Rox Junior/Senior High School. The camp, which runs from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., is open to children ages 5 to 13, and includes lunch, football drills and life lessons taught by Hamlin himself.

The American Heart Association will also provide CPR training on-site, Denny said.

The “Hoops for Hearts” Celebrity Basketball Game will take place Saturday, June 14, at Duquesne University’s Cooper Fieldhouse. The doors open at 5 p.m. with tipoff at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $35 for general admission and $150 for courtside seats (limited availability). Children under 5 will be admitted free.

The game challenges athletes, celebrities and entertainers against one another, including such current and former NFL standouts as Aaron Donald, Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill, Dez Bryant, Keon Coleman, Terrell Edmunds and others, Denny said.

Profits will help The Chasing M’s Foundation’s youth programming, and CPR training will be offered throughout the event.

According to The Chasing M’s Foundation website, the weekend ends on Sunday, June 15, with an exclusive All-Star Football Game at Sto-Rox Junior/Senior High School. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance.

This high-energy game features local talent and unique twists such as no kickers or punters, a 40-yard dash to begin the game and mandatory touchdown celebrations.

Created by Hamlin to celebrate young athletes, this game is a fan favorite that shows pride and personality.

The weekend’s major sponsors include the Fanatics Foundation, Allegheny Health Network/Highmark, Lids, VOSS Water, Don’t Quit and Wasserman, according to Denny.

Together, they help fulfill Hamlin’s mission of turning personal purpose into public impact through youth support and CPR promotion.

The Chasing M’s Foundation, which was founded following Hamlin’s cardiac arrest in 2023, supports access to AEDs (Automated External Defibrillator), CPR training and resources for communities in need.

For tickets, registration or additional information, visit www.chasingmsfoundation.com.

Lourdes Daughtry is a student at Temple University and one of 10 Pittsburgh Media Partnership summer interns.