Yooper Ding-Dong Dash spreads positivity through surprise packages

UPPER PENINSULA — One community Facebook group is on a mission to spread smiles across the U.P., one special delivery at a time.

Yooper Ding-Dong Dash was founded by Jessica Payne. Payne was inspired by groups in other areas, designed to deliver surprise packages to peoples’ homes.

Members can post their address, along with a list of their likes and interests, on the group’s page. Other members then select a person to buy for, place the package on their doorstep, ring the bell, and dash away.

Payne says she wanted to create a way to spread a little positivity during this challenging time.

“The idea behind it is to make somebody smile and surprise somebody,” explained Payne. “People have commented and reached out to me and the other admins saying how amazing it is, just that feeling of being able to give to somebody else during this kind of scary time.”

The group was created at the beginning of May and already has close to 2,000 members. Dashers have been leaving packages like these all over Marquette, Delta, Baraga, Houghton, Ontonagon, and Keweenaw Counties.

Payne says all the happiness and excitement posted in the group when somebody gets dashed is a great thing to see.

“Because of COVID-19, so many people are going through hard times right now,” Payne said. “I work at Aspirus, so I see a lot of that there too. I talk to people very frequently and I hear their stories. So I just thought if I can start something that makes people laugh and smile, it’s a great thing.”

The group also promotes local businesses every Monday, and they host basket giveaways every Friday.

To join the group or to learn more, click here.