Giving Back

I have always been drawn to giving back to my community, especially the underserved. People often say it is because I was an orphan. But I do not give myself that kind of credit. I honestly think it was the way I was raised and  the fact that in several times in my own life, I have needed help and know what it feels like to not just receive it but to give it and both feel absolutely amazing. My primary focuses have been on underserved kids, women of abuse, the homeless and dogs. Being an underserved kid living in an orphanage, I was given a second chance at life through adoption. Having  been homeless on the streets, I fell to drug addiction, suicide and petty theft from grocery stores. And the second time, I bounced between motel 6 and motel 6 for a  year just trying to stay afloat as I moved every 4 days. So I understand how truly difficult this kind of experience is.  And though I have never been abused, I have a strong will to protect women and lend my support to women who have been abused. And in my life, I have rescued four dogs, fostered a half dozen others and been the guy everyone brought their dogs in to train or dog sit. I love dogs and will always have a soft spot for them. 

 

And because of these things, I raised hundreds of thousands for local charities in Seattle for women of abuse, dogs and underserved children and used my network to donate interview clothes for the homeless while teaching job interview skills. In Chicago, I worked with Chicago Public schools to highlight job opportunities in 3D manufacturing to the underserved youth of the West and South side of Chicago, while working with a local church to teach job training to ex convicts and the homeless while helping to get gang kids off the streets. I worked with other non profits participating in their events, including the place I adopted my dog, Seven from and cleaned kitchens for another church that cooked for the homeless.  

 

In New York I hand made 30 interview suits for the underserved teens of the Bronx and worked with the YMCA as well as I personally measured  370 kids from a whole school in the Bronx, and my team and I then handmade each of them winter coats just in time for Christmas. In 2024, I spent time with a halfway house for women in Des Moines, Iowa and brought in photographers, clothes and food to do glamour shots as a way to  remind them how of  beautiful they are and that the people in their community care, no matter what their past was. And in 2025, I dedicated the year to returning thousands of messages a week that came to my TikTok from people all over the world who were struggling with their mental health. 303 people have said they are still on this earth because of me, and that reality is something that wakes me up in a good way,  because that means I truly, truly did something special. 

 

In my 20 years, I have created some of the most unique events and used my talents at the time to do what I could  in my own way to help others.  Helping others has always been a source of great pride for me. And hope that life continues to bless me with opportunities and organizations that will work me with to continue to do so. See a few of my highlights below.