BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PRWEB) November 22, 2017 -- Today, social entrepreneurs and self-proclaimed “givfluencers” Mike and Nick Fiorito (aka the happyFreaks) handed out their 101st blanket of the year to a homeless person in New York City.
In their second annual Blankets of Hope campaign, the brothers have already surpassed their 100-blanket goal from 2016.
Last year, the brothers had a terrifying thought: What if everything and everyone they loved was tragically taken from them?
Their comfortable bed and refrigerator filled with food? Gone. Their hot showers, clean drinking water, family and friends? Gone.
Fortunately the brothers came back to reality and realized how lucky they really were.
But unfortunately, this Winter, more than 60,000 people in NYC won’t have to imagine these things happening, they’ll face it as reality on the freezing cold streets.
So last Winter, the brothers made it their mission to deliver warmth to those in need.
With the support from family, friends and their Bay Ridge community, they wrote personalized notes and handed out 100 Blankets of Hope to the homeless.
Their message was simple: “We believe in you.”
After it was all over, the brothers confirmed their belief: The secret to living is giving.
But little did they know, their simple holiday project would turn into a growing movement.
“By some miracle, Todd Chaffee, Forbes Magazine’s top venture capitalist, came across our Facebook video and became our official sponsor. He provided us with the resources we needed to take things to the next level,” says Mike.
With the help of their new sponsor, the brothers are determined to 10x things this year. They are ready to personally hand out 1,000 blankets by the end of Winter 2017-2018.
Mike and Nick have already raised over $13,475 for their campaign using GoFundMe, putting them just $1,525 away from hitting their goal of $15K, which would allow them to afford all 1,000 brand new blankets.
The brothers have been documenting their journey on Facebook so that those who donated can see their money is being put to good use. But the brothers claim there is another reason for sharing their videos on social media.
“A lot of the stuff we see on social media today can be toxic for our minds and hearts. Part of our mission with Blankets of Hope is to use social media for good,” says Nick.
The brothers are encouraging their fans to participate in the growing movement.
From happyfreaks.com:
“We would love for you to "steal" our idea and go out and do Blankets of Hope in your own community!
It's really simple... all you need are 3 things:
1. A blanket
2. A handwritten note from the heart (Be sure to include: "We believe in you!")
3. An open-mind”
Mike and Nick are only one-tenth of the way to 1,000, but with the help of friends, family, and their supportive NYC community, they’re confident they’ll hit their goal and get one step closer towards their mission of uniting the world in love.
Mike Fiorito, happyFreaks, https://www.happyfreaks.com/, +1 7184835044, [email protected]
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