Gumball Mike

One year (possibly 2018) a person donated to have the name “Mike” written on Destin’s gumball machine magnet. Destin named this person Gumball Mike and history was made! In 2018, Gumball Mike was the first Dinosaur on the Moon. By 2019, Gumball Mike was an expected visitor during Destin’s hosting time. 

A gumball machine magnet on a planet.

Gumball Mike from 2019

In 2021, Gumball Mike’s gumball machine was made into a pin that was available during Destin’s hosting hours. Despite being in chat earlier in the Project for Awesome, Gumball Mike did not make an appearance during Destin’s time. As the end of Destin’s hosting time approached, chat (and John) were all hoping for a sighting of Gumball Mike.

Messages from chat (starting and ending with messages from the Vlogbrothers account) "The only thing we need is a last minute appearance from Gumball Mike." "Self care moment: drink water and dance with the moon trip for the dinonauts!" "we miss gumball mike" "I'm also worried about gumballmike" "Thank you!" "Wasn't the Mike right at the beginning Gumball Mike? Or do we have multiple Mikes?" "Imagine the joy that would overwhelm us."
Comments from chat that say "If gumball mike shows up in the last 5 minutes, youtube will break from the sheet excitement," "last year I was the first raccoon on the moon! This year I'm going to mars!" "did Gumball Mike know about the time slot this year?" "gumball mike to the mystery planet?" "Gumball Mike we miss you" "gumball mike!!!" "who is gumball mike" "I hope mike is doing okay" "I thought he was here earlier" "Has mike returned this year?" "prayer circle for gumball mike" "i hope gumball mike is okay"

While Gumball Mike did not appear during Destin’s hosting time, he donated about an hour and a half later. Chat was excited to see that he was here.

A $500 donation from Gumball Mike
messages from chat "GUMBALL MIKE!!!" "1969!!" "gumball mike!" "Gumball Mike!!!" "Gumball mike!!!!!" "Mike!!!!!!!" "GUMBALL MIKE! [red heart emoji]" "1969!!!!!" "gumball mike is here???????" "Gumball mike!!" "Yay Gumball Mike" "Gumball Mike!!!!" "GUMBALL MIKE" "Gumball mike on da faceeee"

In 2022, Gumball Mike returned during Destin’s hosting hours. Destin was ecstatic and chat was very happy.

Destin, wearing a space helmet, pumps his fist in the air.
Messages from chat "The Man. The Myth. The Legend: Gumball Mike" "Glad to see you again this year gumball mike!"
A message in chat from Fandom Forward "we love gumball mike and cardboard jimin [heart eyes emoji]"
A message in chat from Vlogbrothers "all hail gumball mike"

Gumball Mike is well-known during all parts of the P4A, not only during Destin's segment. In 2023, John read a donation from Gumball Mike early in the stream. 

Gumball Mike donated to take all of chat to the JWST with him. His magnet made a successful journey. Chat was VERY excited.

Destin holding a gumball machine magnet labeled "Gumball Mike + chat" with the JWST.
A screenshot of chat. Kate C: gumball mike is a legend!!; Jessica Winney: Yessssss; Cera Gowans: lesgo gumball Mike!; Abby Blackmore: GUMBALL MIKE!; Sarah F Johnson: AWWWW mike said plus chat ily so muchhhh; Rahab: gumball mike whatzzup; Allison DeVoe: Gumball Mike! Our Hero!; Adam the Alien: Yeeeeaaaah Gumball Mike!; Morgan Ray: GUMBALL MIKE!!!!!!; zentouro: GUMBALL MIKE!; rissa: gumball mike!!; HereForEvermore: gumball mike let's gooooooooooooooo!!; Naomi Hill: gumball mikeeeeeeeeee