GOON: Giving Opportunities to Our Neighbors
At Goons4Good, we’re proud to reclaim the word Goon, not as a symbol of chaos or negativity but as a badge of loyalty, love, and action. In history, “goons” were often seen as tough guys, the ones who made sure their communities were cared for. We honor that spirit, but today, our muscles are used to lift people, not knock people down.
Directors
Dave Chametzky – President
A deep message expert, as he is a speaker, author, podcast host, and producer. Through his content and teachings, he brings insights and a unique guiding principle so others can grow and overcome obstacles. Over the past 10 years, he has been on committees and worked with organizations that have distributed several million dollars to assist families, communities, and organizations to provide a better path forward.
Morris Mayer Vice-President
Morris Mayer brings a unique blend of leadership, compassion, and business acumen to his role as the co-founder of this charity. With a rich background as a Lutheran Pastor at Village Lutheran Church and an entrepreneur behind several successful ventures, he is well-equipped to steer the charity towards its mission. His leadership promises not only to guide the charity towards significant achievements but also to inspire others to join in its mission of compassion and support.
Shahan Islam – Secretary
Bringing a wealth of knowledge from a career in the legal field, Shahan has had a long track record of working in charitable matters, including providing food and clothing to the housing and food challenged in New York City and Bridgeport, Connecticut, and providing pro bono legal services in the New York family court system.
How we began
In 2023, Stacy Simbrom decided to step down from her leadership role at Healthspan.Us, setting the stage for “Uncle Dave” Dave Chametzky to steer the organization into its next chapter. Now known as Goons4Good, they became a charity rooted in the enduring friendship of Dave Chametzky and Morris Mayer, who first bonded as teenagers in Brooklyn. Their shared commitment to community and giving back led to the creation of Goons4Good, which aims to build strong, equitable communities and ensure no one faces life’s challenges alone. The organization’s tagline, “We all know a guy,” reflects its belief in the power of connection and being a good neighbor others can rely on.
With leadership from Dave, Morris, and team members like Shahan Islam, Goons4Good continues to grow, leveraging the founders’ diverse experiences to serve the community in as many areas as possible.