Fans give up tickets to deserving public servants

When Tom and Norvalene Paden couldn’t find a fourth person to join them and their grandson at Qualcomm Stadium Sunday afternoon, the couple was thrilled to know their extra season ticket wouldn’t go to waste.

 

“My husband went into the Chargers ticket office to see if someone could use the ticket and we were so proud when they told us it would be donated to (a serviceman),” Norvalene Paden said. “We’re so grateful for all they’ve done.”

 

The Chargers realized that many ticket holders would be unable to use all of their seats Sunday due to the extenuating circumstances surrounding the wildfires. The team offered refunds, but more than 200 Chargers faithful decided to donate their tickets to firefighters, police officers and other public servants.

 

Last Saturday, Chargers staffers scrambled to distribute the tickets after an overwhelming response from their generous fans. Season ticket holders from 13 states responded. Several fans that could have attended the game chose to instead give their tickets to a worthy cause. 

 

“We just thought it was a great opportunity to show how much we appreciate those who serve,” said Charles Carney, a 20-year season ticket holder from San Marcos.

 

The Heartland Fire District distributed tickets to several East County fire departments. Officers from the San Diego, La Mesa, El Cajon, Oceanside and Carlsbad Police Departments were able to attend the game. Members of the California National Guard, California Highway Patrol and Cal Fire were beneficiaries. 

 

Tickets were offered to several other service organizations, including the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, but many had to decline the invitation due to the fact that they were still extremely busy helping others. A total of 700 plus servicemen deviated from their stressful week by enjoying Charger football thanks to so many appreciative season ticket holders.          

Many of the donated tickets were accompanied by letters of appreciation. One note read, “To my guardian angels.” Another said, “You saved my house. Please enjoy the game as our guests.”

 

“We all felt so helpless last week,” John Sussilleaux said. “It was the least we could do to show our support. We appreciated what the Chargers did and wanted to be a part of it.”

 

The Padens, who have been season ticket holders since the days the Chargers played at Balboa Stadium, had the opportunity to visit with the young National Guardsman who used their extra seat. They were moved by how much all the fans around them showed their support.   

“We have three seats in one row and one behind us on the aisle so we sat right there with him,” Norvalene said. “I can’t tell you the number of people that stopped and shook hands with him and thanked him.  He was so grateful.”

 

The following is a list of fans who donated their tickets through the Chargers ticket office.  Many others made donations directly through public service agencies.  The Chargers are extremely proud of their loyal season ticket holders who took the time to show their appreciation on Sunday.  

Aaron Yuschak
Abram Kim
Adam Herkert
Adam Willms
Alfred Saad
Aneesah Thompson
Ann Distasi
Barry Campbell
Ben Larson
Benny Blumenfeld
Bob Anderson
Bobby R. Foushee
Boyce Bailey
Brenda Jewell
Brent Mote
Brian Sparks
Brown & Charbonneau
Bryan Johnson
Carol Miller
Cathy Weil
Charles Carney
Charles Dryer
Chris Cegielski
Corey Underwood
Craig Halstead
Curt Woodie
Dan Marshall
Daniel Mendelsohn
David Jolly
David Taliaferro
David Valdez
Dean Sickels
Deanna Sampson
Dennis Sadowski
Don E. Witte
Don Eyman
Don Kenney
Donald G. Byrnes Md
Doug Fowler
Doug North
Dru Peterson
Duane Sexton
Ed Minick
Ellen Tower
Emma Zuckerman
Eric Britting
Eric Webber
Estelle Atney
Evan Malter
Fran George
Fuller Electric Corporation
Gary Or Sarah Feltham
Gary Pearce
Gavin Miller
Geoffrey Cole
Gina Guglielmini
Greg Brown
Greg Jelinski
Gregory Barnett
Gyongyi Marks
Handley Cook
Heather Howard
Henry Fricker
Howard & Debra Solomon
Howard Kennedy
Jack Jardel
Jacquelyn Crummett
James Hernandez
James Navarra
Jamie Tebbutt
Jason Engle
Jeannie Williams
Jeff and Susie Orr
Jeff Darby
Jeff Kalmus
Jeff Morse
Jeff Pollard
Jeffrey Jablonski
Jesse M. Garcia
Jesus Cervantes
Jim Dillon
Jo Ann Hernandez
Joan Brunelli DeVries
Joe L. Parker
Joe Mcnally
Joe Tuchshcherer
Joe Zicree
Joergensen Construction
John Bogucki
John De Groot
John Debello
John Kling
John R. & Victoria L. Myers
John Ramsdell
John Stewart
John Sussilleaux
Jon Kocheran
Jonathan Murphy
Jonathan Saluta
Josh Slagowski
Judy Covey
Julie Costantini
Julie Williams
Kathleen Tift
Ken Derrett
Ken Van Damme
Kerri Brewer
Kerry Stack
Kurt Wiesner
LaDena Hill
Lalenia Cianciolo
Laura Harper
Law Offices of Robert B Colosia
Lee Estrada
Leo Kameya
Les Balter
Linda Briggs
Lisa Desiderio
Lynn Vertullo
Mark Brosius
Mark J. Markovich
Mark Rogers
Mark Savala
Mark Schechter
Melvin Clemente
Michael Dempsey
Michael Kerper
Michele Stalling
Mike Georgantos
Mike Sullivan
Mike Villarreal
Mr. Peter Wertheimer
Mr. Torries Emerson
Nick Adrignola
Nick Hardwick
Patrick Merrick
Patti Wolfson
Paul Apostolides
Paul E. Reading Jr Md
Paul Leon
Paul Lilja
Paul Richieri
Paul W. Lewis
Perry Humphries
Peter Adolph
Peter Gonzalez
Philip Rizzo
Philip Rivers
Phil & Karen Rodgers
Rachelle Coffey
Raymond Jones
Raymond Kwan
Richard Adams
Richard Busch
Rick Leonard
Robert Archuleta
Robert Nagy
Robert Richmond
Roger Jaccaud
Roger Stoike
Ron Holt
Ron Holt
Ruben Navarro
Rudi Weyand
Sam Loo
San Diego Fluid Systems Tech.
Sandy & Donald Baker
Scott Tucker
Shannon Glenn
Sharon Beimer
Shawn Hanson
Stephen Miller
Steve Shetler
Steve Wight
Tara Mead
TDC Construction
Teag Carpenter
Ted Deruyter
Ted Kimelman
Ted Lamare
Terry Rogers
Therese Watson
Thomas Jackson
Thomas L. Delonge
Thomas Reed
Tim Lindlan
Todd Vineyard
Tom Moreno
Tom Morrissey
Tom Paden
Tom W. Parkinson
Tracy Linton
Trevor Feser
Trevor Sawatzky
Vanessa Marchis
Wayne Frost
Wayne J. Coulon
Western Tree Service
William Gordon