You want to be part of something bigger, something that changes lives. On Saturday night at the Metropolitan Ballroom, 250 people felt that same spark at MATTER25, a celebration of 25 years of impact and a bold step into the future. This was a celebration. A remembrance. And a launch.
The night began with a look back. The story of 25 years unfolded in images and voices and carried us back to 2000, to the warehouse where Dennis and Megan Doyle asked a simple but life-changing question: What if we lived like everyone’s life truly mattered? Out of that question, rooted in faith, MATTER was born. As Megan reflected, “This was a mission for us. Without faith, there is no mission.”
From those early days, that spark became a movement. Volunteers filling boxes. Businesses giving surplus. Containers crossing oceans. MATTERboxes carrying handwritten notes that told children and families, “You matter.”
Voices of partners echoed the story of MATTER. Tony Sanneh shared, “My favorite thing about MATTER is definitely the notes, it says ‘you matter’ because you can change the world.” Dr. Christy Evans of New DAWN Africa reflected, “It is an honor to be connected with an organization that empowers changemakers in bringing bold ideas to life.” Heidi Baker of Iris Global reminded us, “I want to say congratulations to you, MATTER. 25 years of feeding the hungry. 25 years of reaching the poor. 25 years of being the hands of His love extended to people all over the planet. You have saved lives.” And our dear friend, Blessing Munyenyiwa shared, “Over these last eight years, together we have impacted over 100,000 lives here in Zimbabwe. We are very grateful. We say congratulations to MATTER on turning 25 years, we are proud that we have been able to walk with them. Zimbabwe is proud to call them family.”
Every voice pointed to the same truth. MATTER’s story is not ours alone. It is shared with thousands of people, families, businesses, and communities who have carried it forward. For 25 years, MATTER has been your partner in transforming lives, turning surplus into solutions and mobilizing 113,000 volunteers to touch 55 million people across the globe.
As the room looked back with gratitude, Megan was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. In her name, the Doyle Scholarship was launched, providing two students each year with the opportunity to study at the MATTER Career Readiness Institute. A legacy of love and faith carried into the future. Megan reminded us, “Every breath is a gift from God, and every life matters, from our first breath to our last breath.”
From memory the night moved into vision. Dean Hager, longtime champion of MATTER’s education initiatives, took the stage and shared his own story of being a restless small-town boy who stumbled onto a computer in detention and discovered a future he never imagined. He connected that spark to what MATTER is building today in Zimbabwe, where students in Innovation Hubs are discovering their own potential. He asked the room to imagine what could be possible: “In the heart of Zimbabwe, they’re launching scalable solutions by asking questions: What if the next Steve Jobs came from Zimbabwe? What if a locally grown superfood make a dent in malnutrition? What if local entrepreneurs were equipped to lead the future?”
The stories of Tendai and Terrance gave that vision a face. Tendai, who became a software engineer at 19, bought her family’s first car and helped finish their home. Terrance, who used his new career to fund solar power and irrigation for his family’s farm, feeding neighbors and reviving his village. All because someone believed in their potential. These were not distant dreams. They were proof of what happens when opportunity meets determination.
Then Dean reminded us of the larger picture too: “Helping isn’t just the right thing to do… It might be the smartest investment we can make in our collective future.”
The evening was filled with joy as well. Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi filled the ballroom with laughter. Born in Mutare and raised by his grandparents in Chimanimani, Learnmore has risen from rural beginnings to global stages. His humor carried the heart of Zimbabwe, weaving together stories of home, culture, and resilience. He thanked the guests for believing in Zimbabwe, his home country, and for helping its young people see themselves not as problems but as leaders with potential. Every laugh was more than entertainment. It was connection. It was hope carried through joy.
Generosity carried the evening. When the invitation came to step into the next 25 years, the room responded with conviction. To every sponsor, to every auction donor, and to everyone who gave, thank you. Your generosity is fuel for the work ahead.
And for those who couldn’t be in the room, the invitation is still open. This is a moment to be part of the next chapter. A moment to believe that every life matters and to take action that carries hope into the world. If you didn’t get the chance to attend or give on Saturday, you can still join us today. Because the world does not change when we wait. It changes when we go. Without action, millions more lives may miss the chance to thrive like Terrance and Tendai. But together, we can change that. Together, we can build the next 25 years of impact.
