{"id":26602,"date":"2018-06-03T00:00:01","date_gmt":"2018-06-03T07:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/northstarmoving.com\/blog\/?p=26602"},"modified":"2018-10-29T15:04:05","modified_gmt":"2018-10-29T22:04:05","slug":"people-who-move-us-john-francis-the-founder-of-fathers-eve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.northstarmoving.com\/blog\/2018\/people-who-move-us-john-francis-the-founder-of-fathers-eve\/","title":{"rendered":"People Who Move Us: John Francis – The Founder Of Fathers Eve"},"content":{"rendered":"

Let\u2019s face it. When it comes to being a parent, mothers usually get top billing. This, however, may be changing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Eight years ago, on the night before Father\u2019s Day in Saint Paul, Minnesota, John Francis invited some of his fellow dads and friends over to his newly-built garage in order to spend some quality \u201cguy time\u201d together. Little did he know that his low-key gathering \u2013 celebrating male camaraderie with some beer, chips, cigars \u2013 would turn into an annual international holiday called<\/span> Fathers Eve<\/span><\/a> \u00ae<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Photo
Photo via FathersEve.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fathers Eve events have now been held in 42 cities, including <\/span>in the United Kingdom, Costa Rica and Canada<\/span>. Across the United States, dads have gathered at private residences, restaurants, pubs, businesses and celebrated together with an 8pm toast to all dads. In St. Paul, the attendance increased so much that the event had to be moved to a local bar and grill for a night of food, music, raffles, cigar rolling, and games such as <\/span>hammerschlagen <\/span><\/i>(a contest in which nails are driven into a log), along with \u201cmanly\u201d door prizes such as coolers, grills and tickets to sports events.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fathers Eve gives dads a chance to network with each other. They learn and pass along parenting techniques, give and get good advice, share \u201cdad\u201d stories and meet new people. \u00a0According to John Francis, \u201cThe greatest part of the (Fathers Eve) event is connecting guys that didn\u2019t know each other before, but left the event as friends.\u201d And you do not have to be a traditional dad to join in the festivities; the goal is that everyone \u2013 including single dads, stepfathers, grandfathers, fathers-to-be, at-home dads, any father-figure \u2013 engages with someone who has similar fears and struggles, as well as those who have overcome these hurdles.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo via FathersEve.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The holiday is not just an excuse for dads to connect and bond; it is also about doing good for the community. Fathers Eve events have raised over $27,000 in the past three years for non-profit organizations that provide support and advocate for fathers, no matter what their circumstances. \u00a0The charities include:<\/span> The Father Project<\/span><\/a> of Twin Cities, Minnesota which helps fathers support their families not only economically, but also emotionally; the<\/span> Movember Foundation<\/span><\/a> that encourages men globally to grow facial hair during the month of November in order to raise funds and awareness for mental health problems, prostate cancer and testicular cancer; the<\/span> National At-Home Dad Network<\/a><\/span> which assists and educates dads who are the primary caregivers for their children; <\/span>and the St. Paul-based<\/span> Serving Our Troops<\/span><\/a> which focuses on active-duty military personnel and hosts an annual steak dinner where soldiers and their families can speak to each other through a live online video chat.<\/span><\/p>\n

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John Francis & family.\u00a0 Photo via FathersEve.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The impact that Fathers Eve is making means the world to John Francis. A father of two daughters, he lost his own father to cancer in 1994, and three years later, a car crash claimed the life of his brother. These tragic losses made John Francis realize that while male friendships are significant, there is also a need for men to build an effective support system and to help guide each other through parenting challenges. As John Francis said, \u201cThey (his father and brother) died before I was even married\u2026 years later, I\u2019ve got dad issues. I\u2019ve learned to lean on my buddies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fathers Eve is not meant to take away from Father\u2019s Day, when the celebrations are more family-focused. On Fathers Eve, the emphasis is on all types of dads joining together in a positive, fun-filled, but relaxing environment. \u00a0They can comfortably share ideas and experiences, may realize areas of self-improvement and have the ability to discuss what it entails to be a better dad. This not only helps the father figures, but in a ripple-effect, it is passed on to everyone in their lives. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Photo\u00a0via FathersEve.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How To Support Fathers Eve 2018<\/b><\/h3>\n