Conroe Courier October 10, 2023

Chris Folkman never imagined making a burger could lead to a new mission to better the lives of people in his community. 

The Conroe resident earned a new reputation around town when he won Burger Fresh & More’s “Dream Burger” contest on Aug. 8. His “Silent Love” burger was added to the restaurant’s menu for September, and Folkman gained a bit of celebrity. 

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He decided to use the opportunity to spread kindness and community support to those in need across Montgomery County. Following the contest, he launched the nonprofit Chris’ Compassionate Quest, which just received its 501(c)(3) status.

“For years I’ve wanted to do a nonprofit related to helping the community but also bringing in mental health advocacy,” he said. The burger contest was the unlikely event that kicked off this transition. 

Folkman up participating in Boy Scouts in California and Utah and earned his Eagle Scout award as a teen. Through Boy Scouts and serving with his church he was involved in many community service projects. 

“(Those experiences) stayed a part of the base of who I am and they stayed with me,” he said. 

He and his wife, Ashley, and four children moved to Conroe in July 2021, and Folkman ran a drone and videography business. 

His passion for cooking drove him to enter the Burger Fresh challenge, and he started thinking of creative ways to use the prize, free burgers for a year.

“I started thinking I could never eat all of that, but it would be cool if someone who needs food, I could bring that person to Burger Fresh or get the Burger Fresh to them,” he said. “That’s how I started getting the idea of making this bigger than bringing someone a burger.” 

The first person he helped was Burger Fresh employee James Phillips, who has struggled with homelessness and recently got a new apartment that needed furnishing. 

Folkman created posts in several community Facebook groups and soon the donations began coming in. 

“We were able to furnish his whole apartment,” Folkman said. Donations also went to helping provide electricity for the apartment and other needs of moving in. 

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“You want to work so hard to help someone and once you see that coming to fruition and the community joining in and giving back, this is one of the coolest things you can do. It was a little surreal,” Folkman said. 

Phillips new apartment faces Interstate 45. 

“Sometimes I sit there in my living room and just stare out at the traffic on I-45 and I’m just thankful to have a window to stare out of,” Phillips said. With a furnished apartment, he was able to have family come visit for the first time. 

“Chris is an example of God is love. That’s how I see Chris,” Phillips said. “It’s a compliment that he thought this much of me.” 

Folkman also helped get a wheelchair ramp built for young man who is paralyzed and has been in the hospital since January. He was able to get the young man clothing and food to supplement his hospital meals, and partnered with the Geezer Squad in The Woodlands to have a ramp built for the man’s home as he returned from the hospital.

Upcoming projects for Folkman include partnerships with Backpacks of Hope for people experiencing homelessnes, the Diaper Angels diaper drive and ReadyEats for Families that provides meals

Driven by his own experiences with anxiety, depression and ADHD, he also launched the support group “Mental Health Matters: Make it a Priority” which can be accessed through the Chris’ Compassionate Quest Facebook page. 

“Being able to understand where you can go to get help or how to get help or even knowing someone is there that you can talk to is my biggest goal,” he said. 

Ultimately, Folkman’s goal is to open brick and mortar facility that offers mental health services. Currently, he’s looking for better storage for all the donated items he has received, as they have taken over his garage. 

“It’s been such a fun feeling to do something I’m passionate about and know that it’s helping the community,” Folkman said. 

For more on the nonprofit, visit Chris’ Compassionate Quest Facebook page.Â