Young men team up with their moms for service projects in Douglas County
By Harper Thomas
In 2025, that effort zeroed in on food insecurity—an issue that continues to hit local families hard. Volunteers logged more than 300 hours tackling wish-list projects for two nonprofits that feed thousands: SECORCares and Project Angel Heart. The work wasn’t flashy—stocking a mobile market truck, painting interior spaces, refreshing signage, installing a flower display, washing windows, scrubbing tile, and handling yardwork—but it was exactly the kind of behind-the-scenes labor these organizations rarely have the budget, staff, or time to address.
For SECORCares, which provides groceries and essentials to families in crisis, the mother-son teams help clear a backlog of long-delayed improvements so staff can stay focused on direct services. Many of the projects had been stuck on the “someday” list, overshadowed by the immediate demands of serving clients. Project Angel Heart, known for delivering medically tailored meals to people facing serious illnesses, expressed similar gratitude. A clean, safe, welcoming environment isn’t just nice to have—it’s part of the dignity the organization strives to offer its community.
What sets YMSL DougCo apart isn’t just the manpower; it’s the model. Mothers and sons work side by side, building empathy and leadership through hands-on service rather than check-writing or résumé padding. The chapter is only in its second year, but the momentum is undeniable: since May 2025, members have contributed more than 2,300 hours throughout the county, supporting more than 20 local nonprofits as part of a four-year program that pairs service with leadership training.
The Ultimate Gift tradition is a reminder that impact shows up in fresh paint, tidy garden beds, and a mobile food truck ready for its next neighborhood stop. It shows up in teens learning to show up for others—and enjoying it enough to keep coming back. And as YMSL DougCo heads into a new year and welcomes prospective members, that ripple is only growing.
For more information, visit chapters.ymsl.org/chapter/dougco.
