49ers fan raises $3,000 in honor of Charvarius Ward's daughter
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Some dedicated fans continue to show support for 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward, whose 1-year-old daughter died in October after suffering heart complications.
One fan says she too lost a baby and started a fundraiser to show support for the Ward family.
Jessica Williams says she's been a 49ers fan all her life, and she says when Ward’s baby died, it touched her heart. So, she wanted to do something to let him know just how much the fans care.
"I just wanted to say thank you to each one of you guys who helped support. We were selling these pins for $15 each, and they were inspired by baby girl Ward," Williams said Monday night during the tailgate at Levi's Stadium.
At the last home game of the regular season, Williams announced a $3,000 donation to the National Down Syndrome Society.
Williams says she was inspired to sell these customized pins and donate all the proceeds raised to NDSS to honor Ward’s one-year-old daughter, Amani Joy, who died of heart complications in October.
"In the year 2000, on December 21st, I lost a baby girl myself. So, I know what it’s like to have to bury your own child. I hate the fact that other parents have to do the same. When I heard about Charvarius Ward’s daughter, it just hit too close to home," said Williams.
Ward’s daughter was born with Down syndrome and had battled heart problems since birth. Williams says she sold the $15-pins at events across the state and online with the help of the pin’s designer, Bay Area Pins.
"I love being a part of this. It’s all about the 9ers. It’s all about the faithful. So, I enjoy this," said Jose Cortez, Bay Area Pins.
"Now baby girl Ward had heart surgery right before, so it’s in the shape of a heart," said Williams as she displayed the pin.
"No matter what it is, no matter what we go through, we’re going to show the players that we love them. We support them, whether they’re going through good times or bad times," said superfan 49er Mark of San Jose.
Williams, who’s also a member of Niner Empire's Hayward chapter, says she couldn’t have raised the money without the support of diehard fans like Rey Pena, who lost his eye during his own cancer battle.
"I was able to help her out and sell a few pins, and it’s all for the greater cause of the National Down Syndrome Society," said Pena, the 2022 Fan of the Year.
The National Down Syndrome Society says they’re delighted to get the donation, and Williams says the pin is still for sale online.