The Power of One Difference Maker

This Christmas season, as toys and gift cards fill our office during our Difference Maker Holiday Gift Drive, we are reminded that behind every donation is a story; a person who decided to lean in and make a difference in the lives of vulnerable kids and families. 

Jason Perrone is one of those people.  From a young age, he knew he wanted to make a positive impact in

the world. Growing up, he had deep admiration for his teachers and always sought to help in any way he could. By sixth grade, he was volunteering in elementary classrooms — a spark that ignited a 20-year teaching career. For two decades, Jason poured into students’ lives, helping them learn, grow, and thrive. He was grateful to have the opportunity to care for and mold these kids, and for having a career that aligned perfectly with his heart for helping children.

In 2019, Jason received a phone call that changed everything: his father had been diagnosed with ALS. He decided to step back from his career while helping his mother care for his dad. During that time, grief reshaped his perspective. “I realized how short and fragile life truly is,” he recalls. It became clear to Jason that it was time for a new chapter and a new way to serve. 

When he evaluated his skill sets and his passions, a transition into real estate seemed like the perfect next step. This new path allowed Jason to build relationships, connect with his community, and provide support in new ways. Even so, his heart for children never left. 

Jason always kept an eye out for opportunities to serve his community, and his real estate connections opened new doors for him to get involved in meaningful ways. When he learned about The Alliance through his preferred lender and good friend Carl Lewis, he instantly knew he wanted to be involved in some capacity.

Jason became an Alliance Partner in Purpose and realized that he could contribute to the mission monetarily each time he completed a real estate transaction, donating in honor of each client. He also began leveraging his connections with local businesses to rally more support. This quickly turned into him getting involved with The Alliance’s annual Backpack Drive and Difference Maker Holiday Gift Drive — finding local businesses to host donation-collection bins. Now, years into this commitment, Jason helps with bin drop-offs, collections, and leverages his social media presence to promote the drives and encourage more traffic to the businesses. His efforts multiply the amount of help and hope The Alliance can extend to local at-risk kids and families.

Seeing first-hand the impact these drives make continues to inspire him. Jason often says that the smallest act of kindness can have the biggest ripple effect. One story in particular holds a special place in his heart. During the latest backpack drive, a mother reached out to Jason to share that her young daughter and a friend — both under nine — had seen a donation bin at a local business. The girls decided on their own to host a lemonade stand and used the proceeds to buy backpacks for at-risk kids! Jason was reminded of how beautiful it is when people come together for a shared mission, and it made him realize that the work he is doing is making a real difference — not just in the lives of the vulnerable, but in the lives of community members who are deciding to step up and help. 

Moments like these affirm his belief that anyone, anywhere, can make a difference. “We assume we aren’t talented enough, smart enough, or skilled enough (to help),” he said. “But when we take a leap of faith and step out of our comfort zone with a selfless heart, we realize we’re capable of far more than we imagined.”

Jason’s encouragement is simple and powerful:

Start right where you are. Do what you can. Your yes matters more than you know.

This Christmas, we invite you to join Jason — and hundreds of others — in bringing hope to vulnerable families across our community and bringing joy to those who need it most.