Sibling Visionaries Transform Parenthood Accessibility: Meet the Dynamic Duo of The Dandy Project

By Staff Reporter |

In a noteworthy development for community support in Arizona, 26-year-old Erzsi Moffatt turned her initial volunteer role at Hope Pregnancy Resource Center in Flagstaff into a statewide initiative alongside her brother, 24-year-old Jedidiah Lyons. Together, they launched The Dandy Project, a nonprofit organization aimed at providing essential baby items like car seats, strollers, and diapers to families facing financial difficulties.

Erzsi’s journey began when she became the Boutique Manager at Hope Pregnancy Resource Center, a facility offering a range of free services such as pregnancy tests and parenting classes since 1977. In this position, she provided vital supplies and support to expecting parents. Encouraged by her experience, she invited her brother to volunteer, where he contributed by leading workshops focused on life skills.

As they engaged more with the center’s clientele, the siblings recognized a significant need for baby essentials. Erzsi’s husband’s job relocation to Phoenix prompted discussion with Jed about leaving a lasting impact on the community before they moved. The siblings identified a pressing issue: a considerable waitlist for car seats at the center. Jed’s entrepreneurial background led them to a solution, utilizing surplus overstock sales to acquire baby products at significantly reduced costs.

In September 2023, they officially founded The Dandy Charitable Foundation, also known as The Dandy Project, as a 501(c)(3) organization. Their mission is to protect, empower, and support families, particularly in times of unexpected challenges.

During a recent interview, Erzsi highlighted their commitment to making an immediate difference. The siblings’ shared vision is grounded in their observations of the transformative journey many families undergo. “We saw firsthand how the support at Hope helped clients navigate parenthood,” she explained. “That understanding became the foundation of our mission.”

Jed elaborated on the organization’s approach, noting that they aim to alleviate the financial burdens associated with new parenthood. Through The Dandy Project, families can receive crucial items—including a car seat, stroller, crib, and six months of diapers—at a fraction of the typical retail cost. Their distribution strategy is designed to assist both rural communities and urban areas, especially focusing on Arizona’s Native American populations.

The application process is straightforward; clients can request assistance through their website, DandyProject.org. Items are stored locally, and deliveries are personally handled by Erzsi and Jed. The operation has grown, and after just one year, they secured a cargo van to improve distribution efficiency across the state.

As of 2024, The Dandy Project has directly supported over 312 families and reached more than 1,000 additional families through collaborations with local partners. The siblings expressed pride in this accomplishment, emphasizing the measurable impact they’ve had in a short time frame.

Looking to the future, Erzsi and Jed have ambitious plans for expansion, particularly targeting southern Arizona, including Tucson. Erzsi hopes to transition into a formal staff role to further enhance their outreach efforts, potentially extending their services beyond state lines.

To sustain their mission, The Dandy Project is actively seeking financial donations and volunteers, especially those willing to assist with deliveries. Potential supporters can benefit from tax credits as the organization is recognized as an Arizona Qualified Charitable Organization (QCO).

“Your involvement, whether financial or hands-on, genuinely improves the lives of families in need,” Erzsi remarked, underscoring the importance of community participation in their growing initiative.