Supporting Local:
I can always be found around town at local businesses and restaurants supporting local as much as possible.
Saturdays from June to September I am at the Des Moines Waterfront Farmer’s Market.
Wednesdays during the summer I am at the Des Moines Art Commission’s Concerts in the Park.
My family and I love partaking in the Burien Brat Trot, local school or non-profit auctions and the Waterland Parade/Waterland Weekend!
This is not just a city I live in, this is a city I take great pride in, raise my children in and call home.
Supporting Schools & Education:
- I am the father of two teenage girls in the Highline School District (they currently attend Mount Rainier High School), but I have been involved since their first day of pre-school. Volunteering at the Normandy Park Pre-School.
- I re-established the Watch D.O.G.S. Program at North Hill Elementary School, building it from only 20 dads and kids at an Open Gym/Pizza Night to over 200 dads and kids!
- I helped my wife, the North Hill Elementary School PTSA President, with the School Carnival, Harvest Fest, Missoula Children’s Theater Productions and helped monitor the student car drop off lines in the morning or afternoons as time allowed.
- I earned the prestigious Golden Acorn Award for my dedication to the students.
- I currently chaperone dances and volunteer as much of my time as possible at the Mount Rainier Booster Club and support my wife as a substitute teacher in the Highline School District.
- Our whole family has text banked for Highline School District Bonds and Levies.
- I am the Education Liaison for the Des Moines City Council, sitting in on many of the Capital Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC) Meetings and School District Board Meetings.
- I have been endorsed by many Highline School District Teachers and Highline Public School Board Directors.
- I am a supporter and advocate for schools, students, teachers, families, before and after school care, multiple school programs and so much more!
Supporting Community:
- Since 2014 my daughters have put on a Lemonade Stand Fundraiser that raises funds and awareness for local non-profit organizations and charities. To date my girls have raised almost $11,000! Organizations that have benefited so far are the Des Moines Area Food Bank, The Des Moines Police Foundation for their Shop with a Cop Program and SR3.
- Each year my family and I volunteer our time and provide the grills to cook hot dogs and flip burgers for the Pacific Ridge Neighborhood at Midway Park. The event is Sponsored by Reach Out Des Moines for National Night Out. National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.
- I volunteer at the Des Moines Police Foundation and their Annual Holiday Shop with a Cop that provides a positive interaction between underprivileged children and their families, and law enforcement. Through the Holiday Shop with a Cop Event, children in need are able to purchase small gifts for family members in their household for the holidays.
- Phone Banked for South King Fire & Rescue.
- Volunteered at the Des Moines Police Foundation Auction that brought a K-9 to the Des Moines Police Department in 2018.
- Volunteered at the Des Moines Police Foundation Auction that raised funds to provide each police vehicle with an AED and all required equipment in 2019.
- My family and I have helped plant native trees and shrubs as part of the Port of Seattle’s Airport Land Stewardship Program. Partook in the Green Des Moines Day at Kiddie/City Park put on by Forterra and the Port of Seattle.
- In 2014, when the city began the grant process to restore the Des Moines Beach Park Dining Hall, I jumped on board! I personally strapped on my contractor bags and donated my time and materials to perform the interior demolition of the space. Doing so saved the city approximately $30,000 in demolition contractor fees.