At Chive Charities, every name we receive—every application, every ask—is a reminder of how many incredible people are out there quietly fighting battles we may never see.

Yes changes lives. Yes opens doors. Yes turns dreams into plans and impossibilities into reality. And in the case of one bright, resilient 13-year-old named Zoey, yes means everything.

Zoey lives with Rett Syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that has slowly stolen many of the abilities she once had. There was a time when she could play with toys, speak the word “momma,” and giggle at her reflection in the mirror. Those moments still live in the hearts of her family, reminders of the light that shines out from her.

But Rett Syndrome is unrelenting. Today, Zoey is nonverbal and unable to walk. She can no longer pick up objects or feed herself. She requires full-time care for everything from bathing to dressing to managing seizures and scoliosis. The disorder has affected her nervous system so extensively that even retaining new information is no longer possible.

Still, her spirit shines.

Zoey radiates a quiet strength that pulls people close. Her mom lovingly calls her “God’s little angel,” not because she’s fragile, but because she’s a source of light in a world that can feel impossibly heavy.

When her application came through our system, Zoey became a “maybe”—a heartbreaking but very real part of our process. During our latest round of giving, we approved 15 recipients, providing more than $480,500 in support. That’s an insane number, right? But that meant turning down close to $1 million in aid. If we had the power to say yes to everyone, we would. Every single one of them deserves it.

The fact that we’re often the only organization to say yes is not lost on us, though. For even one recipient, it’s enough.

At our annual Chivers gathering—this year called the Family Reunion—we played a legendary round of Family Feud. The winner was longtime Chiver Teresa, who earned more than just bragging rights. As the grand prize, Teresa got to dig into our “maybe” files and choose one person to receive life-changing aid. No committees, no further reviews—just a real, tangible YES.

She chose Zoey.

Thanks to Teresa, our donors, and our amazing partners at AMS Vans, that yes turned into an ADA-accessible van—something Zoey and her family desperately needed. We purchased a green 2018 Toyota Sienna for a total impact of $55,000.

For families caring for children with complex medical needs, transportation can be one of the hardest hurdles. Getting to doctor’s appointments, therapies, or even just out for a day at the park can feel impossible without the right vehicle. Before the van, every outing was a puzzle of logistics, lifting, and stress. Now, Zoey’s family has a safe, reliable way to move through their world.

That moment—when the keys were handed over—was more than just a van delivery. It was a declaration that Zoey matters. That her life is worth showing up for, again and again. That even though she started as a “maybe,” this community made sure she became a “yes.”

That’s the power of Chive Nation. That’s what Chive Charities does best: we find the people the world overlooks, the ones buried in the “maybes” and “not todays,” and we fight to give them the yes they deserve.

We are not just a nonprofit. We are a family. One that includes everyone from the recipients to the donors to the everyday Chivers who show up for strangers as if they were lifelong friends. And none of this—not Zoey’s van, not the $480,500 in impact this quarter, not the over $21 million we’ve given since we started—would happen without our donors.

You say yes when the world says no. You make miracles like this happen.

It’s never lost on us how rare that power is. We don’t take it lightly, and we don’t do it alone. Our donors are the reason we get to deliver good news. They’re the reason a mom in Mississippi can now drive her daughter safely to medical appointments or even just out for ice cream.

So thank you. Thank you for making space in your life for people like Zoey. Thank you for giving generously, believing fiercely, and making the world at least 10% happier—one story, one person, one van at a time.

To everyone reading this—if you’ve ever wondered whether your generosity makes a real difference, let Zoey be your answer. Her story is proof that behind every yes, there’s a heartbeat, a family, and a future.

Say yes to the next Zoey. Join us. Become a member today and DONATE HERE.