The Good Deeds Team was an idea born from Mitch’s interest in giving back and doing good deeds. This is the story of how the 40 on 40 Project began which then ended up being named Project 40.
Mitch went on his first mission to Haiti in 2010 where he and 23 others from The Grove built an orphanage for the kids at the Good Neighbor Orphanage. It was to take the place of the one that was destroyed in the earthquake. Mitch did this over his birthday March 9, 2010. The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake, with an epicenter near the town of Léogâne, approximately 25 kilometers west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital.
After Haiti Mitch decided that on his birthday every year, he was going to do something to serve others. Mitch came up with the idea to do 40 good deeds on his 40th birthday with his son Mason who was only 4 years old. The 40 on 40 Project was born. Mitch sat down with Mason a couple weeks before the event and he and Mason came up with over 40 simple good deeds to do the day of Mitch’s birthday. Mason’s mind at work coming up with good deeds was a sight to behold. Mitch said, “It was awesome seeing a 4-year-old come up with good deeds and see him carry them out with my help.” One noteworthy, good deed they have done every year (it only counts for one) is they go to the Chandler Mall or some public space and give out free hugs. As a result, good deeds are always on Mitch and Mason’s mind. Mitch says you will not find a better experience and the great thing is that it really doesn’t have to cost you any money to make such an impact on others on any given day.
The 6th Annual Project 40 was super special because it was celebrated on Mason’s birthday on June 19, 2016, in Malawi Africa. There were far more than 40 good deeds done over the period of two weeks but here are just a couple that were accomplished. Build a bridge, a water tower with irrigation, goats and cows purchased for sustainability, barn built for the animals, houses for widows, a ceiling for a medical clinic, basic medical needs for the children, a free concert for the village – wherever the need was while we were there, we served and gave of ourselves to the Malawi community. Mitch and Mason gave out and received plenty of “Free Hugs” while there and experienced the cultural experience and lessons of a lifetime.
Project 40 is celebrating our 13th year in February 2023 in Honduras. While things have changed over the years the value of a good deed never has. Project 40 has been celebrated by friends and acquaintances across the United States and even three countries. Mitch is excited to be able to do good deeds throughout the year, serving others with the help of all of his team, associates and partners in the real estate industry. If you or someone you know needs a good deed, drop us a request at the link below.
