On Thursday, Marquis Newberg resident Merle Campbell met her favorite Blazer Damian Lillard. Merle has been a longtime fan of the Portland Trail Blazers and has followed them since their debut in 1970. But she has never been able to go to a live game. On Thursday, her life long dream and #NewChapter came true. Marquis Companies employees gracious donated their box tickets so she could watch Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers play against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Since Damian is Merle’s favorite player, employees took to social media to let the Portland Trail Blazers know that Merle wanted to meet him at the game. The hashtag #HelpMerleMeetLillard began with a post from the Vital Life Foundation on Facebook shortly before Merle the game.
The Blazers took notice and let Damian know. The two met shortly before the game much to Merle’s delight. “He hung on to my hand, so I hung on tight,” Campbell told KGW in Portland. “I’m not kidding. I’ve always been a fan. It’s been a great, great time. I really like it.”
Merle meets Damian Lillard. Best. Day. Ever. #MerleForMVP