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. <\/p>\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d DiMauro said. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Honoring family and making history <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s America\u2019s 250th birthday, I\u2019m 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\u2019ll talk about and they\u2019ll remember me going forward in life,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
DiMauro is also dedicating the rest of his mission to his two cousins who recently passed. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m 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\u2019s just, if you have a dream, if you have a goal, you got to go out there and get it done,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Including customers in the journey <\/p>\n
During the deliveries, DiMauro wants the customer to feel included in the mission. <\/p>\n
\u201cLet them know, hey, I\u2019m in Florida and this is the first delivery in your state that I\u2019m 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\u2019re helping me with my history project. I want them to be a part of my history,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
In the off chance that the food is unable to be delivered, DiMauro does not let the order go in the trash. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe homeless or the people down in their luck, they deserve to have a hot meal too. So, I\u2019m like, if I\u2019m not able to deliver the food, just give it to someone that\u2019s homeless or down in their luck. And they\u2019ll be able to enjoy it and let them figure out how they want to eat it or whatever,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Inspiring others on the spectrum <\/p>\n
DiMauro is an inspiration to those on the spectrum and wants to shine light on the push to stay motivated and chase dreams. <\/p>\n
\u201cThere are some limitations that people with autism may have. But I feel that the limitations shouldn\u2019t be in your way if you\u2019re doing this or that or this or that. So, I mean, you know, it\u2019s 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,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
He wants his message and story to reach as many people as possible. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf more people hear about me and know about me and the mission, I\u2019m on, I try to inspire others to try to do their goals and everything else,\u201d DiMauro said. <\/p>\n
The biggest obstacle he faces is the resources needed to deliver in each state, as well as the cost. <\/p>\n
\u201cI only can make so much and I have to use on bills and all that. And I\u2019m trying to get sponsorships so that I don\u2019t have to worry about trying to save up and everything else. It\u2019s just, it\u2019s been hard,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
DiMauro said he has enjoyed the support he has gotten and hopes the support continues as he completes the mission. <\/p>\n
\u201cAfter my mission\u2019s done, I want to still help people with autism. I want to still help people with disabilities, because there\u2019s a lot of people that go camping that have disabilities and autism,\u201d he said. \u201cIf Mike can do it, why can\u2019t you? Or if Mike can inspire you to do this, why not do it?\u201d <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n