Today we’d like to introduce you to David Chisholm.
Hi David, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The genesis of Macho Corps was a friendly introduction between Lori Mac and myself through a mutual friend, Melissa Bowman, who knew full well that combining our individual efforts to help those in need might just create a joyful, slightly chaotic, movement of good. Melissa was right.
Lori gave me Christmas wish lists from several kids. I took to social media to ask for some help regarding which Fortnite characters were considered cool (spoiler alert, I still don’t know). I received multiple suggestions. But what blew me away was the avalanche of support. People weren’t just answering—they were volunteering to shop, sponsor, and donate. It was like the universe had smacked me on the heart and said, “Hey. Do something with this.”. But what?
I’ve never been a fan of the sad-eyed, slow-piano music approach to giving. If I’m going to help people, I want to have fun doing it. My attitude has always been, “Do you want to ROCK? Do you want to use your passions to lift others up? Then LET’S GO!” That being said, I knew I had to do more as a persona then “middle-aged white guy.” In a Eureka-like revelation as I lay awake in bed one night with visions of professional wrestling, Rock n Roll, a local pub crawl, and Santa in my head, the idea of Macho Clause struck like a thunderbolt! Now, we had a character to rally around.
Our first joint holiday effort saw us delivering gifts to 42 kids around Metro Detroit. From there, things snowballed to100 kids… then 200… then nearly 400. We had wrapping parties with an army of volunteers and a fleet of drivers delivering joy on Christmas Eve. Eventually, our friends at The Rusty Nail (now just “The Nail”) offered up their space to stage gift pickups, saving our sanity and our schedules.
After the 2022 season, I started getting messages: “I’d love to donate, but can I get a tax credit?” Once again, the universe nudged me. So, despite having zero experience in nonprofit paperwork (and maybe a healthy fear of the IRS), I said yes.
Enter Cindy Diakow, now our board member and guiding star. She looked me square in the eye and said, “Want to start a nonprofit? I’ll show you how. Let’s go.” A few hours later, we were off and running. Turns out, magic happens when you’re willing to ask for help and actually listen.
With our 501(c)(3) status, Macho Corps gained a new level of legitimacy. I wasn’t just a kook in a costume. I was a federally recognized kook in a costume. And with that came media coverage, partnerships with schools, community events, literacy days, “Macho Mansion” nights, and more.
In just the past two Christmas seasons, we’ve delivered gifts to over 1,500 children, most right here in Metro Detroit, but also to families as far-flung as North Carolina, New Mexico, California, Liverpool, and even Costa Rica. Wherever there’s a need and someone ready to help, we’ll use a little muscle, a lot of hustle, and a whole bunch of ruckus to find a way to bring the joy.
Ho Ho Hooooo Yeaaahhhh!!!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth road? Let’s just say my journey nearly ended at the first off-ramp.
My debut as “Macho Clause” was… memorable, though not exactly as I hoped. I was invited to deliver gifts to an 8th-grade guest of honor at a fundraising event. Seemed simple enough; put on the costume, spread some cheer, cue applause. What actually happened was more like a cross between a holiday miracle and a low-budget wrestling promo gone sideways.
I walked in with my sack of toys slung over my shoulder, ready to make magic. Instead, I was met with some raised eyebrows and plenty of finger-pointing. The hostess greeted me exuberantly and explained the emcee would announce me once the band took a break. I saw her pass along the message, and I’m pretty sure I read the emcee’s lips correctly when he turned to her and said, “What the hell is that?!”
Once the band took their aforementioned break, the emcee introduced me with all the enthusiasm of a guy announcing a tax audit: “Well, I guess we have… some guy here to do something.” Undeterred. I flashed my best smile and bellowed, “Ho Ho Ho Yeaahhhhh! I’m here to deliver these special gifts to a special young lady!”
She looked at me… and screamed. LOUDLY. Then clung to her mother like I was the Ghost of Christmas Nope.
The room was all but silent. I apologized to the mom for scaring her kid and made my way towards the exit. After a quick costume change, I reentered as my non-holiday self, just in time to hear people still buzzing about “that nut in the outfit.”
I won’t lie, it stung. But it didn’t stop me. I believed in the mission. And funnily enough, that same venue has been a huge supporter ever since. Now, even when I’m not in costume, even in the middle of Summer, when I walk in, I’m met with cheerful shouts of, “Macho Clause!”
Sometimes the road is rough, sometimes it’s downright embarrassing. But if you keep traveling, the story becomes worth telling.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Macho Corps, we believe every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and loved. Especially during the holidays. We provide Christmas gifts to kids from financially challenged families, but we’re not talking about one-size-fits-all mass gift giving. What sets us apart is our personal touch: we shop from actual wish lists created by the kids themselves. We collect information like clothing sizes, favorite colors, hobbies, and interests. This way, kids know, “Someone really thought about you.”
We steer clear of electronics like phones and video games, but if a child wants a basketball, a book about dinosaurs, a beginner drum set, or a glittery art kit, we’re all in! If it inspires curiosity, creativity, movement, or joy, we do everything in our power to make it happen.
But what truly makes Macho Corps stand out is our energy.. We’re powered by a wild-hearted, good-humored crew of board members, volunteers, donors, and sponsors who may be a little rough around the edges, but for all the right reasons. I channel that spirit through the embodiment of Macho Clause—a character born from a love of giving, pro wrestling bravado, and a soundtrack of loud, fast music. We’ve got characters like Nigel Kringle, who combines his English charm, adventurous spirit, and Victorian era-inspired costume into a force multiplier of goodwill! One of our favorite sponsors takes significant time from his international business conglomeration to dress up as the Mayor of Macholand, opening the doors of his home to host local kids for an evening of fun, food, gifts and community. We’ve hosted fundraisers like “Metal Night,” where local bands blast their amps to help spread cheer. It’s joy, generosity, and just the right amount of chaos.
At the heart of it all is the message that resonates deeply within me: “Know you are loved.” It’s more than a motto; it’s the last thing my mother said to our family before passing, and it lives on in every child we serve and every act of kindness we inspire.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
One of the most effective ways I’ve found to connect with mentors is by openly sharing what I’m working on, especially when it’s something I’m as passionate about like helping kids feel they are valued. When you talk about your goals with genuine enthusiasm, people naturally respond to that energy. That excitement often prompts others to suggest helpful resources or make introductions. I’ve had numerous conversations naturally lead to someone offering, “I know someone who can help you with that.”
Even if the person you’re speaking with doesn’t have an immediate connection, simply sharing your journey makes a lasting impression and often leads to future referrals when they meet someone relevant to your path. Authenticity and intentionality tend to attract the right kind of support over time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://machocorps.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550804680837
- Other: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=A7EBVYCSZV5W8
