Rock Legend Gives $10,000 Check to Boy Who Survived Helicopter Crash
- - Rock Legend Gives $10,000 Check to Boy Who Survived Helicopter Crash
Craig RosenDecember 28, 2025 at 12:47 PM
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(Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)
Sammy Hagar may be preparing for 2026 dates with his Best of Both Worlds Band, but he’s also taking some time to give to those in need during this holiday season.
On Saturday, Dec. 27, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s charity foundation presented a 12-year-old boy who was severely injured in an October helicopter crash with a $10,000 check.
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The check was presented to Oliver Holland as he and his family enjoyed a staycation at The Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach, Calif., which partnered with Hagar to make the donation. As Oliver dined at Hagar’s Cabo Wabo Beach Club at the resort, Hagar was on a video call from Maui, Hawaii to talk to the survivor as the check was presented.
The former Van Halen frontman said he hoped that Holland would learn from the gift. “There’s so many things that you can do to help others that’s so important and I would hope that maybe this experience would help you do that. It’s what my family does and all the restaurants we have,” Hagar said to Holland on the call, per the Los Angeles Daily News.
“You’re helping me spread the word that the holiday season is the perfect time for giving and helping those in need,” Hagar added to Oliver. “And that’s what you and I just did.”
Related: Legendary Rock Singer-Guitarist, 78, Announces 2026 Tour Plans With Best of All Worlds
During the video call, Hagar asked Holland what he wanted to be when he grew up and about his 24-day hospital stay for a collapsed lung and a brain bleed after he was struck by a helicopter that crashed at the Cars ‘N Copters event on Oct. 11 in a beachfront parking lot. He was one of five people hurt after the copter crashed, trapping him under the wreckage.
“I just got out of the hospital last month and like I’m already playing like a little bit of sports during school,” Oliver told Hagar, per the outlet. He said he hopes to be an engineer or a pro athlete when he gets older.
“What are you going to do with all that money?” Hagar asked, before adding, “No candy!” Oliver’s older sister, Madeline Ashwell, said the money will be put toward Oliver’s college fund.
The rock legend’s The Hagar Family Foundation has given more than $4 million to help feed children and families in need and support those dealing with terminal illnesses since 2009.
In other Hagar news, the 78-year-old rocker posted a shirtless photo of himself enjoying the ocean on his official Instagram account on Dec. 26, along with the caption, “tiz the season #🌴 #🌈 #lovethebeach.”
Some of his famous friends and family members left messages in the comments, including Go-Go’s singer Belinda Carlisle, who posted a smiley face with heart eyes.
“You big stud, lookin all Baywatch. Sammy Hasselhoff,” commented Andrew Hagar, the rocker’s 41-year-old son with his first wife, Betsy Berardi.
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This story was originally published by Parade on Dec 28, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
