Help Dan Start Over One Pizza Slice At A Time

We have all been affected in some way by the current pandemic. Some have been fortunate enough to go virtually unscathed these past several months while others have been crushed emotionally, spiritually, and financially. One family, in particular, has been an inspiration to us all well before the pandemic hit, and it’s our turn to offer them a little hope during these trying times.

Dan and Jackie Couture lost their beloved son Zachary to a long battle against Aplastic Anemia at the beginning of the outbreak in May. For those of you unfamiliar with their story, Zachary spent nearly three years in isolation fighting for his life in a severely immunocompromised state. He spent the last year and a half in Houston following a bone marrow transplant as one last hope for survival.

Family was everything to Zachary, and it crushed him to be so far away from home. Whenever possible, Dan would make the 18-hour roundtrip to spend every moment they could together. He did this while simultaneously managing restaurants in Arkansas, Missouri, and Iowa to help pay for the expenses accrued from such a horrific disease. His trips were brief but they meant everything to Zachary. When the pandemic hit, Dan was furloughed from his position which turned out to be a blessing in disguise as they could all be together the last few weeks of Zachary’s life.

Unfortunately, Dan was permanently let go shortly after Zachary’s death, as were so many others during the pandemic. In a time when the restaurant business has been hit disproportionately harder than other businesses, job opportunities have been nearly impossible to find. Dan has been a successful restaurant manager throughout his life. It has always been a dream of his to someday own his own restaurant. A perfect opportunity during a not so perfect time has recently become available to make his dream come true.

With our help, we can make Dan and his family’s dream a reality. Dan, Jackie, Chelsea, and Zachary have been such an inspiration to those who have followed their story. What better way to give back to them than this opportunity right here in front of us. Every restaurant Dan has touched has made a difference in their communities. He has great aspirations to give back to those who have helped his family so much these past few years.

For those inspired to help, Dan has managed to raise most of the capital needed to purchase the restaurant. He is $15k short of the asking price and every bit more we can raise will go straight towards operating expenses and the hiring of employees who have also been affected during the pandemic to ensure the restaurant's success.