GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) – Mike DiMauro, a 42-year-old with autism living in Orlando, has one mission: to complete one Uber Eats delivery in every state.
“I started my mission back on May 30th, 2019, when I was able to deliver outside the state of Florida in New Jersey. And, bang, there you go. I was able to do more states. And I always wanted to go to all 50 states,” DiMauro said.
Over the last seven years, DiMauro has been able to deliver in 38 states and hopes to reach the last 12 before the year ends to celebrate the 250th celebration of the country.
Honoring family and making history
“It’s America’s 250th birthday, I’m trying to contact businesses, trying to contact media, trying to contact everyone. So I could share my story with everyone, because I really want to be there and I really want to make history. And I want to try to be one of those influential people with autism that they’ll talk about and they’ll remember me going forward in life,” he said.
DiMauro is also dedicating the rest of his mission to his two cousins who recently passed.
“I’m dedicating it, dedicating the rest of my mission to try to get to the 12 states in the memory of my two cousins. And, you know, it’s just, if you have a dream, if you have a goal, you got to go out there and get it done,” he said.
Including customers in the journey
During the deliveries, DiMauro wants the customer to feel included in the mission.
“Let them know, hey, I’m in Florida and this is the first delivery in your state that I’m doing. And I try to let the customer know, too, so that they know and let them be part of that honor, too. Because I feel that they’re helping me with my history project. I want them to be a part of my history,” he said.
In the off chance that the food is unable to be delivered, DiMauro does not let the order go in the trash.
“The homeless or the people down in their luck, they deserve to have a hot meal too. So, I’m like, if I’m not able to deliver the food, just give it to someone that’s homeless or down in their luck. And they’ll be able to enjoy it and let them figure out how they want to eat it or whatever,” he said.
Inspiring others on the spectrum
DiMauro is an inspiration to those on the spectrum and wants to shine light on the push to stay motivated and chase dreams.
“There are some limitations that people with autism may have. But I feel that the limitations shouldn’t be in your way if you’re doing this or that or this or that. So, I mean, you know, it’s just the way I am. And I really want to try to be there for people. And I really want to be a mentor to some people in life,” he said.
He wants his message and story to reach as many people as possible.
“If more people hear about me and know about me and the mission, I’m on, I try to inspire others to try to do their goals and everything else,” DiMauro said.
The biggest obstacle he faces is the resources needed to deliver in each state, as well as the cost.
“I only can make so much and I have to use on bills and all that. And I’m trying to get sponsorships so that I don’t have to worry about trying to save up and everything else. It’s just, it’s been hard,” he said.
DiMauro said he has enjoyed the support he has gotten and hopes the support continues as he completes the mission.
“After my mission’s done, I want to still help people with autism. I want to still help people with disabilities, because there’s a lot of people that go camping that have disabilities and autism,” he said. “If Mike can do it, why can’t you? Or if Mike can inspire you to do this, why not do it?”
DiMauro hopes to deliver in the last 12 states before the clock turns 2027 and said he appreciates any help he can get along the way.
To support Mike in his journey visit here.