Dear Casey, Dan, and Sam & Everyone at Ground Control,

We are profoundly grateful for your incredible support. Your generosity in sharing our story had a significant impact. You directed 75 individuals to Owen's journal from your YouTube and website. This resulted in 9 kind-hearted fans of yours donating $220. We were moved by the messages of support from public donors like Ryan Hanscom and James Greenland:

Ryan Hanscom ($50) who said "I found out about this through Casey Farris. I will send positive thoughts your way. Lean on others to help you through this difficult time. You sound like the kind of people that would do the same if someone else needed your help. Take care!"

James Greenland ($25) who said "I've got kids. It's a great cause to help with and to give something back to Casey Farris for his excellent Da Vinci Resolve YouTube vids x"

And we are absolutely overwhelmed by your astounding contribution of $1,533 as a result from the 50% of the sales generated from your course promotion yesterday. This act of kindness is a testament to your incredible generosity and commitment to making a difference in the lives of those around you.

We extend our deepest thanks to you, Casey, Dan, and Sam, for your compassion, generosity, and for being such powerful allies for our family. Your support is a beacon of hope, and we are endlessly grateful for everything you have done.

God Bless you for your kindness and generosity.

With heartfelt thanks and appreciation,

— D.L., Melissa, and Owen

Original call-to-action shared on Casey Faris’ Youtube Channel March 2nd. Note: Fundraiser has ended but if you’re interested in learning Davinci Resole or Fusion — definitely check out their incredible easily digestible courses.                    

My Connection with Ground Control:

Back in 2012, my journey into the world of video production took a significant turn when Casey offered me the chance to be the Head of Production for Graveyard Carz (Credited as D.L. Watson), a Discovery Channel show focused on Mopar restoration. This opportunity was not just a job; it was the beginning of a period of immense growth and learning for me. Alongside Dan and Sam, who were incredibly skilled as video editors, camera operators, and producers—I found a group of individuals whose dedication to their craft was both inspiring and humbling.

As we worked together, we formed a bond built on mutual respect and a shared passion for creativity and storytelling. Casey, Dan, and Sam were instrumental in helping me refine my skills and approach to storytelling and video editing, teaching me passively the importance of being open to others' inputs and perspectives — something I struggled quite a bit with. However, as it often happens in life, our paths diverged when they left Graveyard Carz to start Ground Control. During that period, we lost touch. I took on additional responsibilities as co-showrunner of the series from 2016 to 2020 (I left when Owen was born), while they were busy building their YouTube presence.

Life, however, has a funny way of bringing people back together. A few years ago, a seemingly mundane event—the friendship between my son Owen and Dan's nephew Sabin, who met at daycare—rekindled my connection with Dan.

This serendipitous reunion at a birthday party was followed by a promotional short film for Ground Control, featuring my acting chops from almost 8 years ago, which led to a much-awaited catch-up dinner with Casey.

Starring Dan, Sam, Nick Blacketer, and yours truly. Directed by Casey Faris.

Throughout all this time, Sam remained a constant presence, always there to discuss the latest films, especially his favorites from the Godzilla franchises.

Reflecting on these experiences, I'm reminded of the unpredictable nature of friendships and the powerful ways in which they can evolve and reemerge over time. The journey I've shared with Casey, Dan, and Sam exemplifies the enduring quality of true connections, forged in the fires of creative collaboration and sustained through life's unpredictable twists and turns. Reconnecting with them felt like a piece of divine intervention, a reminder of the incredible value of patience, understanding, and forgiveness in nurturing lifelong bonds. I'm profoundly grateful for the second chance to celebrate our shared history and look forward to the future with these remarkable friends by my family’s side.

— Devin Watson, aka D.L. Watson