I first learned about The December 5th Fund when a family I knew was chosen to receive a Great Day experience. Seeing the incredible impact that day had on them, I felt drawn to learn more about the organization. When I read Tom Wiley’s story, it struck a deep chord with me. My mom battled cancer for 19 months, and though I lived 1,000 miles away, I visited as often as I could. When I wasn’t there, I found comfort knowing her community had stepped in to support her, much like D5F does for families today.

Losing my mom in December 2013 left an enormous void in my life. The holidays – Thanksgiving through the New Year—were especially hard in those first few years. That began to change in 2017 when I volunteered at my first D5F Great Day project. Watching a group of strangers come together to support a family they had never met absolutely filled my heart. I was hooked. That experience reminded me of the power of community and how meaningful moments can bring light during the hardest times. Seven years later, I’m still volunteering, and I’m so grateful to now be part of the organization in a part-time role.

Creating memories and meaningful experiences is what inspires me most, both personally and through my work with D5F. Life is short, and it’s the moments we share with others that truly matter.

Outside of volunteering, I find joy in baking – my “love language,” as my friends and family say. Whether I’m making sourdough bread, specialty cakes, or cookies, I spend countless hours in my kitchen creating something to share with the people I care about.

And if you’re wondering about my family nickname, it’s “Doc.” When I was three, all I wanted for Christmas was a doctor’s kit, and I ended up receiving several. I spent the entire day giving my aunts and uncles pretend shots, and from that moment, the name stuck. To this day, my family still calls me Doc, a little reminder of how childhood moments can leave lasting memories – just like the ones we strive to create with The December 5th Fund.