Dave Mullen needs our help NOW!!!

Dave Mullen needs our help now!!! Many of you know my very dear friend Dave Mullen. He went to Wayne Valley with us and graduated in 1984. He's been through a lot of hell in his life but has always come up out on top. As you know, Dave was a passenger in a horrible, traumatic accident when we were in high school and has many back and leg issues because of it. So the fact that he can even stand and walk is miraculous. 

Since Covid started, for the past two years, he's been having a difficult time; in the past few months, things have become dire for him. As you probably know, Dave owns his own business, "Exquisite Grill" catering, which he started from nothing but an idea and a concept about 15 years ago. Exquisite Grill has grown to be a very prominent business in and outside of the Tahoe area. He is known not only for his great food and expertise, but for his exceptional personality, his ability to think 'outside of the box' and to have a very high work ethic, and for always finding a way to accommodate his customers - fulfilling their catering needs and desires.

Because of Covid, Dave's business has taken a terrible hit. Nonetheless, he has pushed every aspect of his business that he can, even though it has been painstakingly difficult and he has had to work incredible hours for almost nothing at times. In Tahoe, the winters are long and the summers are short. Dave always takes advantage of the summer warmth and works at a catering facility the rest of the year; to not only advertise and grow his business, but to make it a success, allowing it to continuously grow.

This year, not only has he had to deal with the problems that Covid has created in not allowing any large gatherings – which means no weddings, no birthday parties, and nothing that would require his unique and delicious catering experience. On top of that, unfortunately, the last few months have been especially challenging. He was evacuated and had to leave his home, while trying to secure his business equipment, his trucks, and everything valuable, personally and professionally, because of the Caldor fires. Because of that, he lost more than $10,000 worth of food (because of loss of power in the area) that was not covered by his insurance company. So, not only did he have to throw out all of his food that he had stored, but he could not replace it. Then, unfortunately, Christmas time brought another setback. He experienced a severe snowstorm and got 8 feet of snow (the mountains by him received 17 feet). Not only did this paralyze the Tahoe area, but it personally paralyzed him; he was unable to get out, he was snowed in, and his snowblower broke.

So, to say that it has been very difficult for Dave to stay afloat, personally and professionally, is quite the understatement. But, you know that Dave is a go-getter, a wonderful friend, and a beautiful father to his furbaby, Junior.  He is one of the hardest workers and one of the best friends that I've ever had the privilege of knowing. 

Despite all of the hardship, and in true 'Dave' fashion, he is very optimistic about this upcoming catering season and has great ideas that he wants to explore. I hate to see him so stressed out without any options; as Dave has always been there for me and has helped me personally, professionally, and financially, in my darkest of dark days. I cannot, and will not, sit by and watch him struggle. 

Everyone, please help me help Dave now. No amount is too little, no amount is too great. Lets help him to get to the next season, where he will be able to implement some really big ideas and expand further. But it all takes money; and we have all needed some help at one time or another. So, now, let’s help Dave!!!  

Dave, please except this as a gift, from the bottom of all of our hearts, because we love and care about you and Junior!

Thank you all. Blessings and love always, Cathi