Two Guys. Tons of Fun.
One Wild Ride.
Most nonprofits start with a business plan. This one started with a birthday party and two guys who couldn't stop saying, "What if... we just kept going?"
It Was Just Supposed to Be a Birthday Trip.
Stephen had the brilliant (and terrifying) idea of taking 30 people to Disneyland. Couples who'd been running on autopilot started actually talking. Kids who'd never met were inseparable by the end of the day. Parents who hadn't laughed, really laughed, in months couldn't stop.
A few months later, they doubled down. Eleven families. Almost 50 people. A 2-night resort stay. More laughter, more pool time, more memories the families are still talking about.
So they made it official. With their own money. While working full-time jobs. No investors. No committee. Just two guys who figured the positive impact an epic getaway could have on their friends' marriages and children far outweighed whatever it might cost.
Six years, 50+ events, and 75+ families later, what started as a birthday trip is now a full-blown movement. Every event is 100% donation-funded. And they're just getting warmed up.
From "What If?" to "What's Next?"
The Spark.
The Funcles is born in San Diego. First small-scale events testing the "Art of the Gathering" philosophy.
The Event That Broke the Internet (Locally).
Daddy Daughter Date Night becomes THE can't-miss event of the year. People bring friends. Friends become family.
75 Families Deep. Still Going.
Building a permanent model for family connection that outlasts us all.
The Heart and Muscle
Behind the Movement.
Dez keeps the wheels turning and the mission sustainable. With a sharp eye for impact, he ensures every resource is channeled directly into the family experience.
The engine of enthusiasm. Stephen's vision for The Funcles is the compass that guides every event and every strategic move they make.
A strong family is the foundation of a strong world.
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