I grew up in a small farming community in Idaho, called New Plymouth. I've lived in the area for three years or so. I have two great kids; my son Cody is married to my wonderful daughter-in-law Stephanie. My daughter resides in Idaho and is attending Boise State University.

My life journey started when I was three years old. On June 14,1975 my life changed forever. My mother and sister were killed by a drunk driver. Growing up I always felt there was something wrong, but I couldn't put my finger on what was causing those feelings. I graduated High School and tried to go to college, but it was too overwhelming for me. So eventually I found my niche, which was financial planning and insurance. As life went along in my mid-thirties, I went through a divorce which hit me pretty hard and led to depression and stronger feelings than those I had felt growing up. At one point I almost committed suicide, thankfully God stopped me from doing that and I reached out for help. For four years I went to counseling and learned that those feelings I had growing up were general anxiety and separation anxiety. After counseling I didn't know what I was going to do. So fast forward a few years I end up in Arizona and decided to start Kares Foundation.

My business is a non-profit organization called Kares Foundation. My mother and sister were killed by a drunk driver when I was three years old. I want to honor my mother and sister by helping kids make better choices in their lives. The basic and most important goal for us is to save lives.

If you have young children, please work hard at building a relationship with them where they feel comfortable enough to call if they need help. Don't be so rigid that they would put themselves at risk or others just because they are afraid to reach out for help. Also, be open and talk about things they will face today. Peer Pressure, Social Media Awareness (Not knowing who they are truly talking to on the other end of their phone), Distracted Driving.

These are things we talk about in our presentations besides my testimony and drinking and driving.

We have a camp called Kamp Kares which is being held June 6-13, 2025, at the Elks camp out of Globe, AZ. It's for kids 7th- 10th grade that have been affected by drugs or alcohol. Our theme this year is Survivor like the TV show. Our goal is to give these kids more skills to thrive in today's world and hoping they will in-turn help their peers. The only way we survive is off of donations. We are a 501(c)3 and have different ways to help. Please give me a call to volunteer or go on our website and donate there. 

Call (602) 552-1375

Visit them online: ks-kares.org

follow on social media: @kares_foundation