
For the past five years, Dorian and I have been organizing community events to raise money for various nonprofits and causes close to our hearts. From lemonade stands and to merchandise fundraisers and carnivals, each event has been a chance to give back, learn, and grow together. You can check out some of the events we’ve hosted at thedmax.com. Yesterday’s Hot Cocoa & Winter Carnival was one for the books—an incredible day that reminded me why we started this journey in the first place.
Dorian and I have done a lot of interviews over the years, and the questions are almost always the same: What drives you to do this? Why you?
The answer is simple: We see something in our community that needs attention, and we create an opportunity for others to help us address it. It’s about developing leadership and flexing empathy muscles—helping others while learning to understand and care more deeply.
I’d be lying if I said driving past the single mom walking home in the freezing cold with her four kids didn’t hurt. The image of her carrying one of her little ones, bundled up against the biting 14-degree wind, is etched in my mind. She had just come from the Winter Carnival, where her kids had been running around, laughing, and enjoying the warmth of the Brewer Rec. The fact that they had to walk home in that cold, with no car to shield them, was humbling. It reminded me of the privilege I have—driving in a warm car, heading back to a cozy home—and made me even more grateful.
Moments like that are why we do this work. It’s not just about raising money or hosting an event; it’s about creating opportunities for families to feel supported and for kids to have a safe, warm place to play and connect. It’s about making a difference in ways big and small, for people whose daily struggles we might not always see but who deserve the same joy and comfort we often take for granted.
I’ll admit, I lost a lot of sleep over this event. I worried about whether people would come, whether it would be worth the effort, whether we’d raise enough to make a difference. Dorian, on the other hand, didn’t lose a wink. He was confident it would be a success, and as usual, he was right. I needed to have more faith in him, but what I didn’t expect—and what I didn’t worry about—was the incredible diversity of families who attended. That part was pure joy.
This was the first time Dorian raised money to put on a BIG event, and I’m sure it won’t be the last. Over 150 people came out to the Brewer Rec, braving the cold for an afternoon of laughter, fun, and connection. We have over 15 volunteers to help make sure the event ran smoothly. Seeing kids play, parents relax, and the community come together made all the late nights and planning worth it.
But this journey started long before yesterday’s Winter Carnival. Five years ago, it began with a little boy in Dorian’s class. He’d recently moved to Brewer and was living in a hotel. His pants had holes, and more often than not, he didn’t have a snack. Dorian noticed and started asking me to pack extras for him.
When I was volunteering with Junior Achievement, I asked his teacher how snacks were funded. The answer shocked me—they weren’t. Teachers used their own money, or the PTA raised funds, to make sure every child had what they needed.
That was the spark. That’s what got us started. And yesterday’s event was another reminder of how much the need is still there.
To everyone who came out, donated, or cheered us on, thank you. And to Dorian—my heart is so full of pride for the leader, empath, and changemaker you’ve become.
This is just the beginning. Follow D-Max Merch on Facebook and join us as we continue to change the world together, one snack, one smile, and one community at a time. ❤️
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