Bozeman, Montana –A local man has quickly gone viral after developing a very interesting DIY self-storage shelving project.
NonStop Local interviewed David Yakos to ask how he feels after getting over 30 million views. He says he didn't plan for the video of him making a DIY shelf to go viral on his Instagram.
“I was just organizing my garage.” Yakos said. “My family is an active family of six, so it comes with a lot of gear.”
To date, his 1 minute and 20 second clip of him building a shelf for storage bins has been viewed more than 30 million times, with many comments asking for the schematic. The video can be viewed via Yakos' link to his Instagram account.
But instead of selling the instructions, David decided to reach out to Family Promise of Gallatin Valley and together they set up a page where people could find the plans.
“This allowed people to access their site, and although there was no cost to the plan, there was also an option to donate. And hundreds of people donated. Over 1 million people are currently watching Family Promise videos.” Yakos said.
Robin Mayer, Development Director at Family Promise, said the $8,500 raised so far through downloading the shelf plan will provide emergency, transitional and workforce housing to struggling families in the Gallatin Valley. He said the money will be donated to major projects such as the Journey Home Campus.
“The fact that they chose us as their recipient, no matter how big or small the amount. I was really surprised by that,'' Meyer said.
David is co-owner of Salient Technologies, a product design company based in Bozeman. So creating something like a shelving system comes naturally to him.
His company has worked with local businesses and organizations such as NASA. He is also a two-time recipient of Toy Innovator of the Year. He works with companies such as Hasbro and Think Fund.
Now, all that experience and effort is being put back into the community as a benefit.
“And I'm just grateful that so many people saw this vision and were willing to support it.” Yakos said.
If you would like to help with the fundraising effort, you can donate through this link to the Family Promise website.