Warrants, Wheelchairs & Whiskey Legs: Mike Keating & Tommy Donahue on Giving Back | Ep 255

Mike Rhyner sits down with Mike Keating of Giving Hope and Tommy Donahue of the Dallas Amputee Network ahead of their upcoming charity golf classic, diving into how each nonprofit transforms lives through debt relief, job training, warrant clearing, and peer support for amputees. Hear powerful personal stories, including Tommy’s own amputation journey and the founding of the now-legendary Legapalooza fundraiser, plus details on the fifth annual Giving Moss Golf Classic featuring NHL legend Ed Belfour. A must-listen for anyone interested in Dallas nonprofits, community impact, and inspiring stories of resilience.
00:00:00 – Cold open and technical chaos
Studio banter and a lightning strike interruption kick off the episode before the show officially begins.
00:01:41 – Episode intro and Giving Moss Golf Classic teaser
Mike Rhyner opens episode 255 of Your Dark Companion and teases the upcoming fifth annual Giving Moss Golf Classic.
00:02:47 – Guest introductions: Mike Keating and Tommy Donahue
The hosts welcome Mike Keating (Giving Moss) and Tommy Donahue (Dallas Amputee Network), with banter about Tommy’s new consulting gig at Barley House.
00:06:51 – How Giving Moss helps families
Mike Keating explains Giving Moss’s “hand up, not handout” model, helping families with warrants, licenses, credit, and jobs.
00:10:24 – Vetting families and program outcomes
Details on how families are nominated, vetted, and the tangible results like cars and improved credit scores.
00:16:33 – Giving Moss origin story
Mike Keating shares how Giving Moss evolved from a small holiday charity effort into a full family-support nonprofit.
00:22:54 – Tommy Donahue’s amputee story and Dallas Amputee Network origins
Tommy recounts his accident, becoming an amputee, and how a newspaper article led him to the support group.
00:27:35 – Birth of Legapalooza fundraiser
Tommy describes how a joke about a “leg party” grew into the Legapalooza fundraiser now raising hundreds of thousands of dollars.
00:29:37 – Finding purpose and post-pandemic rebuilding
Tommy explains how sending members to national conferences gave him purpose, and how the group rebuilt after COVID.
00:32:41 – Mid-show sponsor read: Dudley’s
A promotional break for Dudley’s bar on Henderson, covering fantasy football, events, and their anniversary.
00:36:08 – Grant writing and nonprofit fundraising strategy
Discussion of how a shared grant writer helps both charities secure funding beyond individual donors and sponsors.
00:40:30 – Getting involved and closing thoughts
Guests share how listeners can find and support their organizations online, with reflections on giving back.
00:41:35 – Golf Classic event details and sign-off
Final details on the September 24 Giving Moss Golf Classic, including Ed Belfour’s appearance, before wrapping up the episode.