I was born in Montana and our family eventually moved to Spokane Washington, located on the eastern side of the state. After attending WSU (Washington State University), I moved to Seattle in 1981. My passion for non-profits and charities began in the early 1990’s. I assisted a friend during the Christmas season to distribute clothing to the homeless in downtown Seattle. This inspired me to “step it up”. I included friends, family, co-workers and their family & friends. We gathered clothing, food, toiletries, tooth paste/brushes, blankets, gloves, sleeping bags, etc., throughout the year. During Thanksgiving, we would distribute these items to help brighten someone’s day. It is still a passion, but on a smaller scale.