For the past 7½ years, our dear friend Colleen has been by Matt’s side through a long and difficult journey. Now, as Colleen and their kids—Andy, Tyler, Laura, and Mattie—begin navigating this new chapter together, so many friends and family members have asked the same question: How can we help?

We created this fundraiser as a simple way for the people who care about the Chrien family to come together and offer some practical support. Funds raised will help with medical bills, household expenses, and other financial needs as Colleen and the kids adjust to the changes ahead.

Colleen also hopes to use a portion of the funds to establish the Matthew Chrien “Really Big Check” Scholarship Fund—a name that comes with a story that is very Matt.

It was on Matt’s bucket list to someday win one of those really big checks—and leave it to Matt, he meant that quite literally. Sure, winning a large amount of money would have been great, but what Matt really wanted was the experience of holding one of those ridiculously oversized checks for the photo.

The scholarship is a way to finally cross that one off Matt’s bucket list. Each scholarship recipient will get their own “Really Big Check,” turning something Matt always wanted to experience into an opportunity to do something meaningful for someone else. And we have a feeling Matt would appreciate the fact that the physical size of the check is non-negotiable.

More than anything, this fundraiser is about showing Colleen, Andy, Tyler, Laura, and Mattie that they have a whole community standing beside them. Every contribution, large or small, can help lighten the load and give the family one less thing to worry about.

If you’re able to contribute or share this fundraiser, we would be incredibly grateful. Thank you for supporting the Chrien family, celebrating Matt, and helping us carry a little bit of his humor and spirit forward—one really big check at a time.