Help Dave fight ALS!

I’ve known Dave for about 20 years—we met at ePrize, an ad agency sort of start up where we worked crazy hours, long days, and more than a few weekends—and that time together is really where our friendship was built. When you’re in the trenches like that, you either keep your head down or you connect with the people around you. Dave made sure it was the latter. And if you know me, you know I’m not exactly the most social guy. I’m perfectly content staying in, doing my own thing. Dave is the opposite of that in every way, and honestly, that’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.

Dave is the reason I didn’t just sit on the sidelines of life. He pulled me into roller hockey, ice hockey, volleyball, bowling, curling, and even paintball. He tried to get me into kickball too, but I had to draw the line somewhere. He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t just invite you—he makes sure you show up.

We’ve spent countless hours together just sharing music—loud music—jumping from death metal to 90s hip hop to electronic to pop, and somehow even landed on country for a while. We actually created “Country Music Video Bingo,” complete with homemade cards, which probably tells you everything you need to know about how Dave approaches life: creatively, enthusiastically, and always finding a way to make things more fun.

But it’s not just the fun stuff. Dave shows up when it matters. We’ve worked side by side on just about every kind of home project you can think of—decks, balconies, tile, electrical, plumbing, insulation. Even when I wasn’t exactly excited to take something on, Dave would be right there saying, “let’s get ’er done,” tools in hand, ready to help without hesitation.

That’s who Dave is at his core. He shows up. For everything. For everyone. And more often than not, he’s the reason everyone else shows up too.

I was proud to stand next to him as his best man, but more importantly, I’ve been lucky to stand beside him as a friend. Whether it was late nights playing bubble hockey, throwing back questionable shots, capturing squirrels (and releasing them), or teaming up on Call of Duty during COVID after he convinced my wife I needed a PS5 so we could still “hang out,” Dave has always found ways to bring people together—whether you realized it at the time or not, a lot of us were in the same room, on the same team, or still connected because Dave made it happen.

And he doesn’t just show up socially—he shows up when people truly need it. He’s opened his home to friends going through tough times. He’s helped people financially when they were struggling. He bought a house next to his parents so he could be there for them as they needed more support. He volunteers without being asked, organizes leagues and events, and even started an annual fundraiser for the family of a friend we lost too soon.

Dave has spent his life stepping up for the people around him.

Now it’s our turn.

If you’re reading this, I’d ask you to consider helping Dave in whatever way you can. Financial support will go directly toward the care, services, and equipment he needs. But just as important is your time—stopping by, helping with things around the house, running errands, or just being there. He’s obviously not the talk-your-ear-off type anymore, but he still loves interaction.

Dave has never been the kind of person to ask for help. But he’s the first person to give it.

Let’s make sure he’s not doing this alone.”