MINNEAPOLIS (June 3, 2015) — How often does an internet meme actually change a life? Minnesota dad and comedy theater owner John Sweeney is turning his 15 minutes of fame as an internet sensation into an effort to actually change kids’ lives around the world by literally giving them new smiles.
You may have seen video of super-‐fan “Jiggly Boy” at a late-‐Feb. Minnesota Timberwolves game, engaging with basketball star Kevin Garnett and the entire arena, and becoming a full-‐fledged viral sensation in the process, now with more than 6 million YouTube views. The moment – and Garnett’s priceless reaction – has shown up everywhere from The Huffington Post to People to the Daily Mail. “Jiggly Boy” is fielding interview requests from as far away as Japan, the story made the front page of Reddit, and social media continues to buzz, with nearly 75 million Twitter impressions.
And now, “Jiggly Boy” is turning his new found celebrity status into a way to raise awareness and much needed funds for the nonprofit organization Smile Network International, complete with a line of clothing and merchandise emblazoned with his now-famous belly.
The man behind the jiggle is innovation behaviorist and philanthropist John Sweeney, owner of the Brave New Workshop Comedy Theatre in Minneapolis, the nation’s oldest comedy theater. (Several comedic names got their start at the Brave New Workshop, including Louie Anderson and Al Franken.) A seasoned corporate speaker, he has taught improvisation-‐based behaviors to help hundreds of corporations (including Microsoft, HP, Yahoo, UnitedHealth Care and Target) embrace a mindset of discovery.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to make so many people smile,” says Sweeney. “A fat guy dancing shirtless at a Timberwolves game sparked millions of smiles, but shining the spotlight on an organization that literally gives kids smiles is helping us give a new meaning to all of the laughter.”
“Jiggly Boy” is determined to raise both awareness and funds for Smile Network International, a humanitarian organization that provides life-‐altering reconstructive surgeries and related healthcare services to impoverished children and adults in developing nations. In the timespan of 45 minutes and for just $500, Smile Network can provide a free life-‐changing surgery to a child.
“Jiggly Boy brings so much joy, and we couldn’t be happier to partner with John Sweeney,” says Maureen Cahill, executive director of Smile Network International. “Raising money for these kids has never been more fun.”
In just a matter of days, Sweeney enlisted partners to create and promote JigglyBoy.com at no cost, in order to leverage the “Jiggly Boy” momentum to raise awareness and money for Smile Network International. In addition to the Jiggly Boy video and a link for people to donate to Smile Network International, the site features a fun meme generator which lets people share smiles by sending photos of Jiggly Boy with customized messages and a Jiggly Boy merchandise shop (complete with a T-‐shirt with Jiggly Boy’s oversized gut on it), with all proceeds going to the Smile Network International.
About Smile Network International
Smile Network International is a global non-‐profit, humanitarian organization that provides life altering, reconstructive surgeries and related healthcare services to impoverished children and young adults in developing countries. Smile Network International conducts surgical missions abroad to impart dignity and quality of life to individuals whose medical needs may otherwise go untreated. For as little as $500 per child, Smile Network is able to perform life-‐altering surgeries for children around the world.
