Washington's Laremy Tunsil selected as Week 1 NFLPA Community MVP. Date. September 11, 2026 Media contact. Topics. Washington D.C. - Laremy Tunsil has been selected as the first NFLPA Community MVP of the 2026 season for his back-to-school kickoff event, The Giving Tree, where he served 250 children from low-income families throughout the greater D.C. area. "Being named this week's NFLPA Community MVP means a lot to me because giving back has always been bigger than football," Tunsil said. "I'm grateful to have the opportunity to support families, empower young people and create experiences that make a difference in my community." The Commanders offensive tackle partnered with Grammy-nominated artist and Maryland native Brent Faiyaz to prepare students for the school year. Children and their families were greeted by a local DJ and treated to a pizza bar and ice cream truck while receiving a backpack filled with essential school supplies. To help students start the school year feeling confident and ready, the event featured professional haircuts, hairstyling and nail services from local barbers and beauticians. Also on site was a styling suite for attendees to pick out a new outfit, shoes and jewelry. The suite was complemented by a customization station where students could personalize their new backpacks, shoes and shirts with designs and airbrushing. Nearby stood a gaming suite, where kids could play "Madden NFL" with Tunsil and Faiyaz. Giving back to the communities that have supported him has remained a priority for the five-time Pro Bowler. Earlier this year, Tunsil hosted the third annual Single Mothers' Wellness Event, which gave a group of single moms a day to step away from caring for those around them and receive some well-deserved self-care. Raised by a single mother himself, Tunsil understands the importance of providing these women with a space to feel valued and supported. Attendees were treated to a relaxation lounge, a guided yoga session and curated wellness and beauty gifts. The Giving Tree and Single Mothers' Wellness Event are just two of the signature community events hosted by Tunsil and his charitable initiative, Divine Tree. Over the last several years, Divine Tree has invested in youth across Tunsil's team cities (Miami, Houston and the Washington D.C. area) to create lasting impact in those communities. Initiatives have included a community all-access pantry equipped with food and household essentials, his annual youth football camp, local holiday food drives, and events aimed at offering advice to young entrepreneurs and a space to develop their own businesses. To further recognize Tunsil being selected as the Week 1 NFLPA Community MVP and support his continued charitable efforts, the NFLPA will donate $10,000 to his nonprofit of choice. Tunsil, along with the other Community MVPs selected this season, will also be eligible for the Alan Page Community Award, which is the NFLPA's highest player honor for outstanding community service and includes an additional $100,000 donation. For the second year in a row, the NFLPA is partnering with GoFundMe, the world's leading fundraising platform, allowing fans to support players' community work through their selected nonprofits. To make a contribution, please visit this donation page. All donations are tax-deductible and will go directly to the player's nonprofit of choice. Back for its 13th season, the NFLPA's award-winning Community MVP program serves as a driving force behind the union's commitment to highlight the year-round civic outreach and community engagement of its player members. Community MVPs are selected by a committee of NFLPA staff that reviews the nominees submitted each week by players, agents, marketing representatives and NFL team staff. Learn more about the NFLPA Community MVP program here. About the NFL Players Association: The National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) is the union for professional football players in the NFL and is headquartered in Washington, D.C. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of protecting the health, safety and financial future of its more than 2,000 player members, who are the backbone of North America's most popular and highest revenue-generating sport. Through a wide offering of programs, resources and engagement opportunities, the NFLPA provides world-class service to players throughout their career lifecycle and builds solidarity to advocate on their behalf in the areas of healthcare, revenue, compensation and working conditions. The current CBA will govern the sport through the 2030 season. Learn more at nflpa.com.

Warning as fake fundraisers launched for fire victims. 16th August Aerial view of fire damaged properties on Quarry Park Road in Stourbridge (Image: Emma Trimble / SWNS) Dudley Council has warned residents about donating money to fake crowdfunding campaigns as its official fundraiser tops £31k. The council said it has been made aware of fake fundraising pages claiming to raise money for those affected by the Stourbridge fires. The authority has asked locals to be "cautious" when sharing or donating to online appeals and advised them not to donate to GoFundMe or other fundraising pages. In a daily briefing for residents, chief executive of Dudley Council Balvinder Heran said: "Unfortunately, incidents such as this can attract fundraising and donation scams, so I ask you to please remain vigilant and only donate through official channels." For those wishing to make a financial contribution to the residents affected, she said the council has now established its own fundraising page, which can be found at https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/stourbridge-fire-donations. The appeal has already topped £31k as the community rallies around those affected. It states: "The response from our communities has been overwhelming, with many people offering assistance, donations and messages of support for local families impacted by the fire. "To provide a simple and secure way for people to contribute, a Crowdfunder page has been established. "Donations will help support those affected by the wildfire as recovery efforts continue." The local authority shared a Facebook post on Friday warning people about "fake fundraising pages." It said: "We're aware of fake GoFundMe pages being shared online claiming to raise money for residents affected by the Stourbridge fire. "Please do not donate to any GoFundMe or other fundraising pages relating to the fire at this time." The council advised residents to be "cautious when sharing or donating to online appeals, and help us spread the word so people don't fall victim to scams." A GoFundMe spokesperson said: "Our Trust & Safety team works around the clock to make sure people can give and receive help safely, which is why we've launched a dedicated page of verified fundraisers for those affected by the UK wildfires. "We're also proud to be working with the Heart of England Community Foundation on their appeal. "We remain the only major platform with a Giving Guarantee, allowing donors to give in confidence." The crowdfunding platform has offered guidance on how to spot fake fundraising pages. This includes carefully checking web addresses to ensure financial contributions are made via legitimate platforms, and donating to platforms with a donor guarantee so that money can be refunded if something is not right. Donors should also consider who told them about the fundraiser, and are advised to contact customer care teams if there is any uncertainty. More Stories

GoFundMe launches verified relief hub for Colombia earthquake victims. Published on 12 August 2026 at 7:16 am - Written by Chris Martin - Reading duration: 2 minutes GoFundMe has launched a verified relief hub for victims of the devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck western Colombia on August 10, 2026, creating a centralized platform where donors can support verified fundraisers and nonprofit organizations providing emergency assistance on the ground. The earthquake killed at least 254 people, with more than 2,500 injured, according to the most recent reports. The Colombian government declared a state of national disaster as search and rescue operations continued across affected cities including Cali, Pereira, and Manizales. GoFundMe's Trust & Safety team has verified all fundraisers on the hub to ensure donations reach legitimate relief efforts. The platform allows donors to support both individual fundraisers and established nonprofit organizations responding to urgent needs - from emergency shelter and food to medical supplies and reconstruction assistance. The hub consolidates these efforts in one location, making it easier for supporters worldwide to direct funds to verified sources rather than navigating multiple individual campaigns. GoFundMe has employed this hub model for major disasters in recent years. When a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Turkey and Syria in February 2023, the platform created a similar centralized relief hub that connected donors with verified fundraisers and organizations. In June 2026, following earthquakes in Venezuela, GoFundMe again launched a verified relief fund directing flexible grants to vetted local partners, demonstrating the platform's approach to rapid-response crisis fundraising. The vetting process for verified fundraisers involves GoFundMe's Trust & Safety team reviewing personal information, the identity of recipients, and confirming that funds are directed to legitimate relief efforts. This verification step is designed to protect donors from fraud while ensuring rapid disbursement to those in need during the critical early phases of disaster response. The Colombia earthquake relief hub reflects broader crowdfunding trends in disaster response. As traditional aid channels sometimes face logistical delays, platforms like GoFundMe have become important mechanisms for immediate financial support, allowing individuals and families to access funds within hours to stabilize their situations before larger government and international aid arrives. Sources. * Wikipedia - confirmed death toll of at least 254 and injury count of more than 2,500 from the August 10, 2026 Colombia earthquake * CNN - death toll progression and Colombian government's state of national disaster declaration * GoFundMe social media (Facebook, Instagram, Threads) - announcement and details of the Colombia Earthquake Relief Hub and its verified fundraiser model * GoFundMe Trust & Safety - explanation of the verification process for fundraisers on crisis hubs * Fast Company - reporting on GoFundMe's approach to disaster relief fundraising (Turkey-Syria 2023 precedent) * Reuters - initial earthquake reporting confirming the 7.4 magnitude and location in western Colombia Give your feedback. Chris Martin is a US economics and current affairs journalist covering the intersection of policy, markets, and everyday financial life. With a background in financial reporting and a sharp eye for the stories behind the numbers, Chris brings clarity to some of the most complex issues shaping the American economy today. At ECIKS.org, Chris covers breaking developments across domestic economic policy, business strategy, Wall Street movements, and political decisions that ripple through financial markets. His reporting blends rigorous data analysis with accessible storytelling making critical information useful for investors, entrepreneurs, and engaged citizens alike. ECIKS.org is an independent media. Support ECIKS by adding ECIKS to your Google News favorites: