For the past six years, Amara Martin, 35, and her husband, Kezley Martin, 34, both have lifted their community in Elmont through their philanthropic endeavors, completing their charitable work without placing an official name on it. But, starting this year, all of that will change.
Since they are well known in the area for their philanthropy, and Kezley, also known as DJ Arson, has established a significant community presence with his work as a DJ, they have decided to formally name their nonprofit, The Arson Cares Foundation.
“We decided we wanted to keep everything familiar,” Amara said. “Because a lot of people know the name, they know him, especially in Elmont, so it kind of just ties everything together.”
Last month, the couple volunteered at a holiday giveaway held at Elmont Memorial Library, where toys were distributed to local children. Elmont Cultural Center hosted the event, which also featured cupcakes, hot cocoa and crafts.
The couple donated so many toys at the event that they couldn’t give them all away, so the following day, they ran a mini toy drive out of their car at the Valley Stream Walmart.
Their nonprofit will focus on helping those in family shelters, but as it expands, they are hoping to reach every community member in need.
The couple, life-long Elmont residents and Elmont Memorial High School graduates, began their charity work in 2020 by combining car shows and toy drives. Kezley’s love for cars is shared throughout the community during his Toys and Cars drives where community members are welcome to bring unopened toys to donate.
In the midst of the global pandemic, the couple brought light to the community during an unprecedented dark time. That was just the beginning of their journey, which has continued on six years later, officially formalizing their nonprofit.
In addition to toy drives, Amara would like to explore other charitable events throughout the year, such as back to school and turkey drives.
“I really would like to do actual turkeys, and then like fresh produce and stuff like that to give them a full Thanksgiving meal,” Amara explained. “I have big plans.”
Lavern Butler, co-founder of MBFNI, or My Best Friend Ni, also based in Elmont, has been partnering with the couple for the past three years. MBFNI provides photo booth and luxury venue services, but also does not shy away from giving back to the community.
“We also have the same passion for pouring into the next generation,” Butler remarked. “Just like how we’ve been poured into as well. So that’s something we both find important.”
Kezley, who DJs at weddings and school events in the Elmont area, added, “I am very into cars.” He added that his love of cars transformed into something more, which led to the official naming of his nonprofit. “It’s like, wow, the giveback part is literally the best feeling ever,” he said. “So now it’s like that, it just became my whole focus.”
DJ Arson has remained a familiar face in the community. His first event as a DJ took place in the sixth grade after he was given an opportunity to perform for an intercultural night at Elmont. From there, his work took off as he continued pursuing gigs as a student for other school-wide events.
Alongside her husband, Amara remains ambitious about their dreams and what they could accomplish in the Elmont community with their nonprofit, which officially will come to life in 2026.
“I want to be able to help everybody,” she said. “So whatever that may be and however that may look, is what we’re trying to accomplish.”
