BIG BROTHER, LITTLE BROTHER...MEDIUM BROTHER?

- Jonathan Drubner, Contributing Writer

Last summer, in a move that sent shockwaves through my family, business, and social networks...I revealed to absolutely everyone in my address book a secret that I had been harboring for some time - I, Jonathan Drubner, had a kid.

And then I clarified that I was mentoring a 13-year-old kid named Erick from East LA.

I know!  Awesome, right?

Well, last week I found myself in the fortunate position of updating them on our good times spent together, and sharing with them additional, life-altering news.

It went a little something like this....

“Erick and I are still hanging out.  A lot. We’ve gone surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding together. And while I assure you that all the while I was wearing a helmet AND elbow pads... it appears I still wasn’t wearing enough protection.  Because now I have another little brother! Or is it a medium brother? I’m so confused!  Damn these hormones!”

  Now allow me to clarify once again:  Erick has an older brother named Bill, and he’s amazing. He just turned 18, graduated from high school in East L.A., and most importantly, he's a great influence on Erick.   The kid's got big goals.  And get this - he wants to get into filmmaking! Hmmmm.

Sure, Erick, Bill, and I go surfing and hang out together a couple times a month, and it’s super-fun and even more gratifying (see pic), but a few weeks ago I set Bill up with some friends of mine who make music videos, commercials, short films, etc, and he started to work for free for them. Well, it turns out this kid is one hell of a hard worker, cuz he’s now made a bunch of contacts and is working. A lot.  For big money.

Wrap your head around this - Bill was making $200/week working at Von’s Supermarket, full-time. Yes, you heard right.  $200!  Full-time!

And now he’s making $100/$200 a day working in production...

At this rate, in a year he’ll be making more money than his dad.

How’s that for a reality (pay) check?

So allow me to get to the point.   I feel awesome every day.  And despite all the little league baseball trophies I've won, all the A's I've received in class, and all the nice things I've said to my sister over the years when she'd come home from the salon crying because she hated her  haircut...my mom's never been more proud.  Beat that.  I dare ya.

If I can help...how hard could it be?  If any of you good people reading this any  are working in production and need a hand, or wanna give a good kid a shot, please get in touch with me at drub@drub-induced.com.  I vouch for him. Soon you will, too.

Additionally...I’m still a mentor to Erick. The organization we’re a part of is called Stoked!  It’s  life mentoring through action sports. It's an amazing non-profit, co-founded by X-Games host Sal Masekela and X-tremely good guy Steve Larosilliare, committed to providing "at risk" kids in LA and NYC with positive alternatives to drugs, gangs, and...working for pennies at Von’s.

Stoked needs volunteers. Stoked needs mentors.  And of course, Stoked needs donations! Tax-deductible donations no less! The sweetest taboo!

So do me a favor. Do Erick a favor. Do Bill a favor.  Do yourself and your accountant a favor. Please give whatever you can: time, money, advice, leads, whatevs.

Donate here!

Or else I alone will handle Erick and Bill’s future. You don’t want that now, do you??

Do you???

If you’re still reading, you already know this, but I'll say it anyway: 

You're the best.

Thanks so much.