ShareTheWill was born from my experience as a foster child in the 1960s. As a young boy, I bounced around the foster care system living with various centers or families. I lived each day never feeling like I fit in or belonged anywhere. I was a child without love, without a place to call home. It was an at time unbearable situation full of pain and despair. I was scared and angry and without hope.
It wasn’t until I was adopted by my mother, father, and sister that I understood what having a family meant. I learned what home truly feels like. The calm in a storm. The place we go to find peace. The quintessential definition of love. They saved my life through simple act of love. I carry that love with me every day of my life. As an adult, I felt a deep passion to find a way to give back to the world what my family had given me. I joined the US Army. I committed myself joyfully to being a part of another strong family (U.S. Army) to protect and defend our fundamental rights as human beings. I dedicated my life to serving others who had no voice for themselves.
Since my retirement from the U.S. Army, I built a home in Round Rock, Texas. I built the foundation of my home on the keystone of service. Service to others so that they might know peace and live a life of joy as I have. To that end, I joined groups such as SERTOMA of Round Rock, LIONS Club, Round Rock Greater Community Foundation, and many more. I am fully invested in building bridges and partnerships with fellow community members for the sake of helping even one child who feels the anger I felt. Who may not know they matter. Who may not know love. What it means to be safe. I want to lead by example to these young individuals that there is a better way than anger. To show them they haven’t been forgotten. With the help of the community, I know we have already changed the lives of so many. I am forever hopeful we will continue to do so