Fundraiser for Marissa & Makiyus

Hey, we're Brad, Liam, Tyler & Dylan from Discover Connection, and we're setting up this GoFundMe for Marissa and her son, Makiyus (Ky). If you’d like to hear more about their story, please check out the video here!

The funds raised will go directly to help with rent, health needs, and other daily expenses as Marissa and Ky navigate some tough times. Every contribution, big or small, is deeply appreciated. If you're unable to donate, simply sharing this campaign helps, too! Our goal is to raise $10,000, and we’ll be providing updates when the funds are being used so you can follow their journey.

We first met Marissa at a Whataburger while we were on a mission to find a drive-thru worker who we could take on their dream vacation. From the moment we met Marissa, we could tell she was someone truly special—her warmth and openness at the window stood out immediately. After trying over 20 locations over several days, finding her it was abundantly clear that she was the kind of person who deserves something amazing, and we were so lucky to cross paths with her.

As we got to know Marissa and Ky’s story, we learned about the many challenges they’ve been facing. A few months ago, they lost their apartment in a fire and have been living in a hotel ever since. With Ky’s special needs and Marissa being a single mother, she’s only able to work half-days to make ends meet. On top of that, Marissa has been living with Neurofibromatosis, a rare genetic condition that causes non-cancerous tumors to form around her face and body, and is now affecting her vision. Ky also has the same condition, though his presents as small birthmark-like spots.

We’ve always wanted to do more to help, and we’re hoping this campaign can make a real difference for Marissa and Ky. Any donation will go a long way in helping them get back on their feet and set them up for a brighter year ahead.

Thank you so much for your support—every little bit truly counts.