In 2017, the world welcomed Mahz Orin Goracke. His family, friends, and all around him beamed with joy. He spent his days taking in everything. He quickly grew into an independent toddler, and his curiosity grew exponentially faster. Mahz didn’t want to miss anything. He was always on a mission.
With a seeming infinite store of determined energy, he was quick to take in what the world had to offer. His eyes caught every streak of color. He embraced exploring new foods. Ate fresh tomatoes straight off of the plant. Directed his playmates to where the action was. Walked and loved his ‘dog dog’. Listened intently to his sister. His feet swiftly bounced him about his landscape, constantly introducing him to new things, and in turn forcing us to see the world through new eyes with him.
When Mahz left this world in 2018, he left an unexplicable void. While we will never fill the abyss that his absence has created, we are taking on the challenge to carry the colorful joy, curiosity, and energy he brought into our lives to the world. It’s a challenge that those closest to him are moved, in his honor, to do on a daily.
The MAHZY Project exists to provide his community with a framework for seeing more beauty in our world. For engaging in the good that we have to offer one another. And for finding colorful joy as a child does. Like Mahzy did for us, and in-turn, like the MAHZY Project will do for others.
In 2022, the MAHZY Project was officially launched! Its first mission was to create a beautiful garden in an open space directly across from his childhood home. The garden will provide incredible beauty to the landscape and fresh food for neighborhood kids. But it will also act as a backdrop for schoolchildren to learn about science, nature, and what it’s like to get their hands dirty. With this first project, a space is created that Mahz would be proud of, feel relaxed in, and have his interest piqued as he admired just how inspiring our natural world truly is when you our love into it. This space will be open for all, because of him.
With the creation of this space from the many loving hands of people in his community, we push Mahz’s spirit into the world. We don’t know where it will go next. But we know it will go with the intention of having fun, learning a lot, and being loved.
Join us in sharing the MAHZY Project energy!
