Today we’d like to introduce you to Manuel Diotte.
Manuel, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was seven years old when I was given six months to live. After spending 3.5 years in and out of hospitals, dealing with two years of chemo and radiation treatment and 54 surgeries to date, I beat some of the toughest odds. I lost so much of my childhood to bad memories, that eventually I created a charity of fun, positive, and over-the-top EPIC memories.
After becoming the youngest REALTOR in the country in High School, I became a Professional Speaker and Best Selling Author. It was great to be successful, but I wanted more than Success, I wanted to build a legacy and be Significant. I wanted my suffering and life to matter. I wanted to leave the world better than I found it.
So I started The Ferrari Kid was born, and now I have an opportunity to build a Legacy for my kids, to make an impact in my community, and make a difference in the life of a child that is suffering.
The Ferrari Kid is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that makes sick kids a celebrity for a day while enjoying the ride of a lifetime! From the moment they get picked up in a Ferrari, the excitement begins. They will be taken to a restaurant, spa, theater, arcade, or location of choice. They will then arrive at a complete VIP experience including Red ropes, red carpet, backdrop, and paparazzi awaiting their arrival! We do shopping Sprees with Bodyguard service and so much more. It’s amazing to not only take care of the sick kid but the entire family. They all need a break from their mom, dad, and siblings.
I am so grateful and blessed to do what I love on a daily basis. I was about to take Success to Significance. Success is about you, Significance is about others, way cooler.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Running a nonprofit is not easy. You are begging for money all the time, so learning how to ask, how often to ask, and what makes us different was a struggle at first. But, with struggle comes growth, you either WIN or LEARN. We do large top events, so COVID was brutal, some nonprofits closed their doors, but we didn’t. It was a scary time but we pivoted and got thru it.
I welcome the challenges, the pain, and the struggle, not all the time, but when it’s needed, it separates those that want to do it verse those that dabble. This is not a hobby for me, it’s my life’s work, so I learned to bring my A game even in the dark hours.
I believe in HARD work and HEART work and I get the joy of doing both, so I accept any challenge in way of my goals. I never allow FEAR to decide my FUTURE, so bring it on. Faith over Fear.
We’ve been impressed with The Ferrari Kid, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I started The Ferrari Kid in 2012, I just wanted to give a kid coping with cancer a ride and experience of a Lifetime. Little did I know that 10 years later, I have now served over 2100 families coping with cancer and other illnesses.
Not only do we create over-the-top EPIC events for sick kids, but we also have a monthly support group for the kids. It’s like a monthly family reunion. No judgment, no bullying, just FUN.
I am so proud of how we have evolved. The events get better. A simple shopping spree turned into a red carpet arrival, with paparazzi and bodyguard service following these kids around like they are stars for the Disney channel.
People look at are like OMG, who are they? It’s so much fun to watch from behind the scenes. They eat lunch, get their nails done, and shop till they drop. I love what I do.
And, the cool thing that makes us different is our donors can be part of their experience. They can shop with them, Golf with them, and play games with them. They can be involved with them and see where the money goes.
I think it’s important that people know they can give and be part of The Ferrari Kid in 4 ways, Time, Treasure, Talent, or Connections. Some of us have more time than money, so come give your time and be part of their day. Some of us are blessed with money, sponsor a kid, or a table at our Gala. Some of us have a talent Magic, Music, or whatever, come be part of the HOPE tank and make kids say with your skill.
And, last connection, you may know someone that can help us, please connect us. In the end, it’s all about the kids, and creating an EPIC moment for them.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Be patient and trust God’s timing. Sometimes, I want things to happen so bad, and you can’t force timing. You just have to trust the process. You just have to do the work and what happens happens.
You have to work harder than anyone and stay obsessed with the goal, so the kids win. They count on me, the families count on me, so I have to do what it takes whether I want to or not.
We have lost 26 kids on this journey so far. I have buried 26 children in small caskets, so I have had to learn not to give up on my calling even when it’s hard. Every time I lose a child I want to quit, but then I get a love note in the mail from the kids I serve saying Thank you for the “Best Day Ever” and I get back to begging for money so I can make a difference.
Pricing:
- $500 Sponsors a kid for Multiple events all year long.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theferrarikid.org
- Instagram: The Ferrari Kid
- Facebook: Manuel Diotte and The Ferrari Kid
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqyFEEUvPjw&t=38s
Image Credits
Darren Maslach
