In memory of Michael Ray Dixon

Pay it forward.

The Dixon Family Foundation carries on the kindness of Mike Dixon by meeting real needs in our community, one neighbor at a time.

See what we do Get involved

Mike Dixon in a red shirt, holding his infant son Shane on his lap outdoors — Mike and Shane, 1982

Our story

Michael Ray Dixon

May 24, 1956 · December 29, 2016

Mike was a kind, compassionate man who cared for people, loved his family, and was an outstanding father. He believed that when someone helps you, the right response is to go help someone else.

Born in Peoria, he spent his career as a welder at Caterpillar, retiring in 2011, and was a member of Frank N. Nicol Lodge 1170 A.F. & A.M. and the Mohammed Shriners of Peoria.

He loved riding his motorcycle, John Wayne movies, Wild Bill Hickok history, rooting for his beloved Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears, and, believe it or not, cleaning around the house. Most of all, he loved time with family and friends.

This foundation exists so that his way of living keeps working. It is funded by the gift he left behind and run by the family he raised, with one goal: to keep paying it forward in his name.

“I hope you’re happy.”

In his own hand

Love you, son. Your Dad.

In the fall of 2000, while Shane was at Marine Corps boot camp, Dad wrote him letter after letter. He signed them with love and usually slipped a joke into the P.S.

“P.S. Don’t forget to wash behind your ears.”

Handwritten sign-off from Mike's letter: Love You Son, Your Dad, and Kick that Can — From a letter dated August 26, 2000

Mike in a red shirt holding baby Shane — 1982

Mike in an orange shirt holding a smiling toddler Shane — Mid-1980s

Mike in a white jacket standing with young Shane in front of the house — Mid-1980s

Mike in a Chicago Bears sweatshirt kneeling beside young Shane — Bears fan, always

Mike and teenage Shane in leather jackets — The 1990s

Mike smiling in a striped shirt — The 1990s

Mike standing beside Shane in his Marine Corps uniform — Proud father of a Marine

Mike standing beside Shane in Marine Corps dress blues — In dress blues

Mike riding his motorcycle on an open highway — On the open road

Mike, gray-haired and smiling, hugging a friend — Later years

Embroidered patch reading In Memory of Mike Dixon, 5/24/56 to 12/29/16 — The patch from his memorial ride

Carried on by his family

Shane, Tyler, and Carter

We started this foundation to keep Dad's example alive, for our son and for our neighbors. Every coat, every pair of shoes, and every helping hand is one more way of thanking the man who taught us to pay it forward.

Our mission

Rooted in faith. Focused on our neighbors.

Following the example of Christ, we care for the people who are struggling: the poor, the homeless, the stranger, and the child who goes without. We start close to home, and we start with what people actually need.

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Matthew 25:40

What we do

Starting with the kids down the street

Our first program

Coats and Shoes for Kids

Every student deserves to walk into school warm and dry. We provide new coats and shoes to kids in the Canton school district whose families can't afford them, quietly and with dignity.

Coming next

Clearing Medical Debt

We are partnering with Undue Medical Debt and First Christian Church of Canton to raise money that wipes out medical debt for people in our region facing hardship. Every dollar raised buys and forgives debt, so families get a fresh start with no strings attached.

Get involved

Know someone who could use a hand?

Tell us about a student, a family, or a neighbor in need, or let us know how you'd like to help. Every referral is handled privately and with respect.

Prefer email? Reach us at [email protected]