Meet Keck ( Jacob ) | Our Co-Owner With Down Syndrome – YinzerShop
Meet Keck: The Heart of YinzerShop
Jacob — everybody calls him Keck — is a young man with Down syndrome, a die-hard Pittsburgh fan, and the reason every YinzerShop order shows up with a little extra love inside. When you shop here, you're putting Keck to work doing what he loves.
Shop Keck's Tees Support Keck's CommunityHow YinzerShop Started
YinzerShop began as a passion project between a stepfather and his stepson. Keef grew up in Pittsburgh and wanted to build something fun that celebrated the 'Burgh — its lingo, its bridges, its Black & Gold. Keck wanted a job that mattered. Put those together and you get a family-run shop where Keck isn't just a helper; he's a co-owner and the heart and soul of the whole operation.
Keck is all about pitchin' in. He helps with orders, keeps track of inventory, and loves checking where every package is headed. He's amazed that people who love Pittsburgh are scattered all over the country — and he gets really fired up when an order ships to Canada or Europe. A Yinzer overseas? That makes his whole week.
What Keck Does Every Day
Packs Your Order
Keck wants to pack every order himself. It's his way of making sure each package gets a special touch — and nobody packs a stack of Pittsburgh coasters like Keck.
Writes You a Note
He tries to tuck a signed, handwritten thank-you note into every single box. If you've ordered from us, there's a good chance you've got one on your fridge.
Tracks the Map
Keck follows where our packages go. Every new city, state, or country is a win, and he loves seeing how far Pittsburgh pride travels.
Keck's not just about the work, though. He's about spreadin' cheer and makin' folks smile. He's a people person — even when it's through a package — and he reminds all of us that it ain't about what you can or can't do, it's about the love you put into it. He's a true Pittsburgher at heart: grit, love, and a whole lotta Yinzer spirit.
Get Your Keck Shirt
Wear Keck's good vibes. These tees are built around Keck himself and the things he says all the time, and every sale helps keep him doing the job he loves. All four are printed on a soft Bella+Canvas 3001 tee.
New! A friendly illustrated portrait of Keck for people who know everyone needs a little Keck in their day.
Shop This Tee
New! The side-by-side version of the Everyone Needs a Keck design — same message, different layout.
Shop This Tee
Keck's signature send-off, available in a dozen colors.
Shop This Tee
Keck's game-day rally cry for Pittsburgh baseball fans, in classic Black & Gold and more.
Shop This TeeSupport the Down Syndrome Community in Keck's Name
Want to do something awesome for people like Keck? Our local coffee shop, Esteamed Coffee in downtown Cary, NC, is a non-profit café whose mission is to create meaningful jobs for adults with intellectual, developmental, communication, and visual disabilities — people who too often get passed over for work. It's exactly the kind of place that gives folks like Keck a shot to shine.
You can make a donation in Keck's name. Every dollar goes toward training and employing people with differing abilities right here in our community.
Donate to Esteamed Coffee in Keck's NameComing Soon: Celebrate21.com
Keck has inspired us to build something bigger. We're working on Celebrate21.com, a new site dedicated to celebrating the awesomeness of people like Keck — their energy, their humor, their work, and the way they make everyone around them better. (Why 21? Down syndrome is also called Trisomy 21, for the extra copy of the 21st chromosome. We think that extra chromosome is worth celebrating.)
More details are coming soon. In the meantime, the best way to stay in the loop is to drop us a line or follow YinzerShop on social media.
Questions People Ask About Keck
Does Keck really pack my order?
He does his best to! Keck wants to pack every order himself and tries to include a signed thank-you note in each one. Some items ship directly from our vendors or print partners to get to you faster, so not every package passes through Keck's hands — but the ones that do get the full Keck treatment.
Is YinzerShop really a family business?
Yes. YinzerShop is owned and operated by Keef (who grew up in Pittsburgh) and his stepson Keck. We've been a Yinzer family-run shop since 2015. Read more on our About Us page.
How can I support Keck and people with Down syndrome?
Three easy ways: shop YinzerShop (it keeps Keck working), grab an Everyone Needs a Keck tee, or donate to Esteamed Coffee in Keck's name.
Can I send Keck a message?
Absolutely. Use our contact page or email sales@yinzershop.com and put "For Keck" in the subject. He loves hearing from customers.
A Thank-You From Keck
And always remember — Keck says, "YOU'RE AWESOME!"
