Meet Kelvin Peña — an 18-year-old ‘Deer Whisperer” of sorts. Kelvin and his video clips with his “Deer Squad” are lighting up the internet. And beyond the fascinating and hysterical videos (warning: some mildly explicit language), we found a thoughtful young man with a very big heart. Check it:
Christian Josi (CJ): Kelvin, thanks for talking with me today. I first saw your videos about a week ago when my daughter sent them to me and they’re delightful. How long have you been rolling with the Deer Squad?
Kelvin Peña (KP): I’ve been rolling with the Deer Squad for almost 2 months now, the first time I encountered Money and Canela was on July 28th.
CJ: Explain ‘Everybody Eats”
KP: Everybody Eats is a term I use to express how important it is to make sure the ones around you are being treated well. Whether it’s family, friends, people in need, or even stray animals. If I have something to offer to the world, I feel that it’s vital for me to share it. I’m always willing to help whether it’s food, advice, helping someone with homework, or just helping my community. The way I think about it is, if I have it and my brother doesn’t, then him and I are splitting it 50/50.
CJ: What made you start interacting with the Deer?
KP: I first started interacting with the Deer randomly, I was leaving my cousin’s house and there was a doe waiting outside of his front door (Canela before I named her) and I was amazed at him feeding her. I went to my house, which is right around the corner, and I see a huge buck just chilling in my backyard. I walk up to him, and notice he doesn’t run away. So I decide to go inside my house, grab some bread, club crackers, and an apple, and then started feeding the buck. He showed no aggression or anything, so I felt we had a connection and that’s when I named him Money and made my first video.
CJ: Aren’t deer normally super skittish w people?
KP: I feel that the deer got comfortable with me because of how I fed Money, the squad is Money’s family and they see me hand feed him and follow along his footsteps. It’s insane, but I love it. Deer usually run away from other people, but with me, they feel comfortable for the most part.
CJ: How many are in the ‘Squad?” What are their names?
KP: The original Deer Squad has 7 deer. Money, Baby Mama, Lil Bambi, Money Jr. Aka Lil Ant, Lola, Canela, and Tequila.
CJ: So I’m guessing you live in or near the woods? I mean, they don’t just hang around your house all day, right?
KP: I live in a gated community in Pennsylvania, the deer here are protected and can’t be hunted, but they come to my house and my cousin’s house to eat.
CJ: Tell me a little more about yourself. What do you do when you aren’t making video clips with deer?
KP: Well, I just started college so I spend most of my time in the books or with family whenever I’m not feeding the squad. I just moved to Pennsylvania from Texas, because I wanted to attend college over here since it is close to my family and the school gave me a scholarship. I’m just a chill guy, I take school very seriously and believe that being happy at all times is a must. I’m very appreciative for all the things that I have, and all the things that life has thrown my way, the good and the bad because it shaped who I am today. I like to help others and show them that life isn’t that bad if you’re breathing, because if you’re breathing it means that you’re alive and that means that you can make an impact on this world. That’s what I live by, and that’s what I the message I try to spread to the people in my life.
CJ: You’ve become quite an internet favorite. Did you expect the videos to take off like they have?
KP: I did not expect the videos to blow up at all, it was nuts. Honestly. I was amazed by Money and The Squad, but I would have never ever thought that the videos would blow up the way they did. I’m so grateful for it though, everything happens for a reason.
CJ: I see also that you’ve got some Everybody Eats gear on the market. Hats and shirts? How do people purchase those?
KP: People can purchase the Everybody Eats gear at my online shop. The shirts and hats have been selling like hotcakes, it’s crazy and it amazes me how many people love the content.
CJ: What’s next for you and the Deer Squad?
KP: The next move for the Deer Squad is the Everybody Eats foundation. I’m currently in the process of starting my own non-profit organization where I help bring groceries to single-mother homes in need. Because I know the struggle of being a minority and living in a single mother home, I want to give back to the world, one step at a time. I have big plans for the near future, it’s all work in progress. I just can’t wait till I get it all started!
Photos and video courtesy of Kelvin Peña.