Prepared Hero Donates $432,000 to Best Christmas Ever

Last year, something pretty amazing happened. It started with a fire blanket and ended with $432,000 given to families who were going through the worst time of their lives.

Prepared Hero, a brand known for its life-saving fire blankets, teamed up with Best Christmas Ever (BCE). BCE is a nonprofit organization that gives families the best Christmas of their lives after going through major hardships. It’s also supported by Dillon, also known as Dadchats on social media. The partnership didn’t just raise money. It gave families hope, and in some cases, a fresh start.

Let’s take a look at how it all unfolded and meet some of the families involved.

How It Started

It all kicked off when Dillon, also known as @thedadchats on social media, shared how a Prepared Hero fire blanket saved his own home. That post inspired thousands. But Dillon didn’t stop there. He decided to donate 100% of his commissions to Best Christmas Ever, and Prepared Hero matched every single dollar he raised through January.

The result? A $432,204 donation to Best Christmas Ever.

But what mattered most wasn’t the numbers. It was the lives touched and the ripple effect of kindness that the partnership caused.

A Family Rebuilt: Amanda's Story

Let’s start with Amanda Davidson, a mom from Duluth, Minnesota. Her life turned upside down just before her son’s birthday in 2019 when her husband intentionally set their house on fire.

She remembers driving back to the house, thinking something looked strange. The windows were dark—too dark. She thought maybe something was sprayed on them. Then, she saw the smoke. When she opened the door, she was hit by a wave of thick, choking smoke. Firefighters later told her it was a miracle she didn’t pass out.

Amanda and her two young kids lost almost everything, except each other.

They spent weeks living in a hotel, worried about Christmas and wondering if Santa would find them. Her son’s birthday gifts were gone. The trauma was deep.

Then, Best Christmas Ever stepped in.

Amanda’s cousin nominated her, and soon she was surprised with a fully furnished apartment, holiday decorations, and gifts for her children. Volunteers showed up not just with presents, but with support, love, and a reminder that good people still exist.

Today, Amanda is thriving. She rebuilt her home with help from family and friends. She volunteers with BCE, speaks at events, and helps train police officers about domestic violence. She’s also got fire safes in place, pictures of everything for insurance, and Prepared Hero blankets in her home.

“I have the best life now,” she says. “You can’t afford to lose hope.”

A Sister Remembered: The Oliva-Gonzalez Family

May 21st was a night the Oliva-Gonzalez family will never forget. A tornado watch had knocked out the power, so the younger girls lit a few candles. At some point, they fell asleep.

The fire spread fast. Mr. Oliva managed to get his son Toño and two daughters out. However, 16-year-old Carolina, lovingly called Nina, didn’t make it. She died next to her puppy Chico, surrounded by smoke and flames that were just too strong to fight.

The family had already lost their mother, Rosa, to illness just a year earlier. Now, they were grieving again; this time, for their daughter and their home.

Carolina was saving for her first car. She was bright, sporty, funny, and full of life. Her smile lit up every room. But she’s gone now.

Prepared Hero’s partnership with BCE helped this family when they needed it most. Volunteers helped the family move forward, not by erasing their pain, but by showing up with love, support, and resources that made rebuilding possible.

They can never replace Nina. But now they have a chance to breathe, heal, honor her memory, and create new ones.

A Farm Family Faces Fire, Twice

One nominated family faced two devastating fires. First, they lost their barn and all of their dairy cows, which are their only source of income. Then, their home caught fire while relatives were staying there in the same year.

Rob, Tabby, and their three kids were inside. There was an explosion, then a fire that tore through the house. They ran to the neighbor’s and called 911, but not before Rob, Tabby, and their sons Dominik and Devon suffered severe burns.

Rob and Tabby were burned on 70% of their bodies and had to be airlifted to a hospital. Dominik had burns on 13 to 16% of his body. Devon’s burns were more serious than his brother’s.

This happened while Paul and Nancy, the kids’ grandparents and homeowners, were away for Nancy’s chemotherapy treatment.

Prepared Hero and BCE helped this family with recovery costs, housing, and emotional support. When your world’s been flipped upside down like this, even the smallest gesture can feel life-changing. And thanks to the massive funds raised, these weren’t small gestures.

More Than Just a Check

After the campaign, a few members of the Prepared Hero team flew to Minneapolis to meet the BCE Board. They didn’t just hand over a check. They came to listen, to learn, and to understand where the money was going.

It was personal.

They heard stories from families who’d lost everything: loved ones, homes, hope. They saw how BCE steps in during the worst time in someone’s life and says, “You’re not alone.”

This wasn’t just a one-time thing. The impact is ongoing. Families who were once on the receiving end of help are now volunteering, donating, and giving back.

Even Amanda Davidson, whose house burned down in 2019, now volunteers with BCE and helps train first responders on how to deal with domestic violence victims. That’s the full-circle power of generosity.

Volunteers Showed Up Like Never Before

One unexpected result of the Prepared Hero x BCE partnership is the huge spike in volunteer signups. People didn’t just donate; they raised their hands to help.

This is important because BCE doesn’t just hand out money. It’s a deeply personal, community-driven movement. Each nominated family is picked carefully. Each gift is selected with love. Volunteers often show up in person, decorate a temporary home, deliver meals, and offer emotional support. It’s not charity—it’s community.

When thousands of new people signed up to volunteer, it meant even more families could be reached. More homes could be filled with laughter. More kids could wake up on Christmas morning and feel safe.

That’s the kind of domino effect we need more of in the world.

Why This Partnership Worked

Prepared Hero didn’t just cut a check and walk away. They showed up with intention. They listened. They matched donations. And they used their platform to tell real, emotional stories that actually connected with people.

They also believed in the product they were offering. Fire blankets are simple, but powerful. Just one could mean the difference between a small scare and total loss. Prepared Hero made sure every purchase came with a purpose.

And Dillon? He was the perfect bridge. As a BCE board member and someone who truly believed in the mission, he used his story to inspire others. He made it personal. And it worked.

Here’s what this partnership actually did:

Raised $432,204 in under two months
Boosted volunteer sign-ups across the country
Helped families dealing with death, fires, and trauma
Gave furnished homes to families in crisis
Educated thousands about fire safety and emergency planning
Inspired more acts of generosity, big and small

Moving Forward Together

The Prepared Hero x BCE partnership was about stepping up in a meaningful way and showing what happens when brands, influencers, and nonprofits work together for something bigger.

Every dollar helped someone get back on their feet. Every fire blanket purchased helped make a home safer. And every story shared helped remind people that even when life feels like it’s falling apart, there’s always someone out there who cares.

That’s what Best Christmas Ever is all about—giving families hope, reminding them they’re not forgotten, and turning the worst moments into something unforgettable (in the best way).