To Cooper…

I don’t have a lot to say at the moment. I’m heads down. Sometimes G-d calls us toward a mission.

After I was able to properly digest the news, and found out who it was, I immediately went into shock. I got goosebumps. My chest felt deeper than the Grand Canyon. I cried. Then I cried again.

I was, and still am, absolutely devastated.

Today, my son and I stopped by the memorial for Cooper.

What I observed was that Cooper was as an energetic, bright kid. The kind of kid who had a presence. His father told me they called it the “Cooper Effect”, that energy he brought with him and the way he affected the people around him.

Maybe it’s because my son is 6 and they went to the same school. Maybe it’s because I can walk down the street and see the memorial. Maybe it’s because I know what it feels like to have that fear that you may never see your child again.

Whatever the reason, I knew I couldn’t just sit back and do nothing.

I never thought I’d find myself at the center of something like this. I’m honestly not even sure how I ended up here.

But I do know this: I know I’m the right guy for the job, and I’m incredibly blessed that the Villano family has trusted me with this.

And I want to be clear about something: I’m not doing this for clout. I’m not doing this because I think it’s going to make my business money. If anything, I use my business as a tool to help people, not the other way around.

I’m not focused on money.

In the Torah, there is a concept called mitzvah a commandment, but also an opportunity to do what is right and help another person.

I have a business. I have the ability to make these shirts. I have a community that wants to come together and show the Villano family that they are not alone.

So that’s what I’m going to do.

East Haven Strong. For Cooper.

100% of the profits from these shirts will go directly to support the Villano family.

I don’t know where this is going to go. I don’t know how many shirts we’ll sell. I don’t know how many people will show up.

But I know I’m going to show up. I’ll make ya proud bruh.