Music managerScooter Braunhelped award Michael Dichter of New York in a big way as he goes off to college, but not before helping pull off an endearing prank.
It all began with a Zoom call between the SB Projects founder; Shauna Nep, VP of philanthropy for the organization; and Jillian Crane, CEO and president of 1STRCF (the First Responders Children’s Foundation); and Michael’s parents.
As seen in the video above, the group pretended to need a few more pieces of information about the upcoming Syracuse freshman.
But Braun, 41, couldn’t hold in the surprise for long, as he interrupted and shared that the couple’s son had already been chosen to receive a $25,000scholarshipfrom Braun and SB Projects, who partnered with The First Responders Children’s Foundation, to create the “Children of Heroes” Scholarship for his upcoming four-year education.
Scooter Braun.Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Spotify
“You won?!” Michael’s father, Ross Dichter, an NYPD detective who is currently battling cancer, said while tearing up. “Congratulations, buddy!”
“Wait, what?” Michael’s mother, Karen Dichter, shouted after Braun confirmed the prize.
“What did I just miss here?” she continued in disbelief.
After Michael’s father confirmed the news to his wife, Braun revealed that their son wanted to prank the pair with the exciting news.
“Oh my gosh, I totally missed it!” Karen said as she clasped her hands over her mouth. “I was like, ‘Why is he getting so emotional?’ Oh my gosh, oh my gosh! I totally missed it!”
Braun and the organization have allocated $600,000 in funds for students to date, per 1STRCF’swebsite.
Braun says he had a little help from his famous clients: Streams and sales ofJustin BieberandAriana Grande’s2020 duet “Stuck With U” has helped SB Projects donate over $5 million to the foundation.
“The donation has provided 283 college scholarships, 108 funerals for first responders who died in the line of duty, and over 1,965 individual hardship grants,“the org’s websitestates.
Justin Bieber; Ariana Grande.
Before jumping off the video chat, the father of three concluded with a heartfelt message to the Dichters about their son’s future.
“I’ve got to say something to you, and I don’t want to get emotional,” Braun said as he appeared to fight back tears. “We shouldn’t be in a position where someone who does what you do or does what your wife does needs a scholarship. Unfortunately we are, but it sounds like you picked the right profession.”
“You guys are the real heroes,” he added. “It’s our honor.”
source: people.com
