On February 25th, 2025, I reserved one of the civic rooms at the Southeast Regional Library in Gilbert, Arizona — a quiet, well-lit space on the corner of Greenfield and Guadalupe. It was here that The Kringle Cause held its very first board meeting.
I had invited six people who had each shown interest in the vision I had been sharing — to start a nonprofit that empowers adults with disabilities while spreading joy to children who need to know someone cares. Everyone I invited had a connection to that mission and a heart as big (if not bigger) than mine. Out of the six, four were able to attend, and one — Christine Feller — brought her husband Joseph along to learn more.
None of us had nonprofit board experience, but that didn’t matter. What we had was belief. What we had was heart.
Here’s a look at the people who showed up to help build this cause from the ground up:
- Jamie Lovell – I had asked Jamie if she’d be willing to serve as Secretary. We needed someone organized, articulate, and committed to helping shape this mission, and she graciously stepped up to serve in that role until we vote someone in formally.
- John Barrett – John is an experienced IT manager and offered to take on the role of supporting our internal technology needs. While I’m currently building the website myself, John is already helping us research and recommend the hardware, software, and systems we’ll need to run efficiently and communicate our mission effectively — now and as we grow.
- Shawnie Huff – Shawnie is a full-time mom raising three children with Down syndrome, and her insight into the community we want to serve is absolutely invaluable. She’s already helping us identify events, outreach opportunities, and connections that will help us build relationships with the disability community here in Arizona.
- Christine Feller – Christine and I met through a post I made about The Kringle Cause. She’s a crafter with a big heart and a sharp eye for creativity. At the meeting, she volunteered to serve as the Chair of our Programs Committee, helping shape the activities, gifts, and products we’ll offer. She also offered to step in as interim Treasurer until we’re able to fill that position more formally — and has already begun studying and preparing to take on that responsibility with care and diligence.
- Joseph Feller – Christine’s husband, Joseph, attended the meeting in support and to learn more about what we’re building. He may not have a formal title yet, but his support and insight are already appreciated.
- Erika Brown – Erika is serving as the Chair of our Marketing and Social Media Committee. She wasn’t able to attend the first meeting, as she was helping her daughter prepare for a national school competition, but she remains committed to the vision and is excited to contribute.
- Brandon Cruz – Brandon is an entrepreneur in the solar industry and had committed to serving as a general board member. He was away on business for our first meeting but has expressed his desire to support the organization as his schedule allows.
While I will be attending all meetings and guiding the vision, I don’t vote. My role is to serve this board and help ensure their decisions are carried out with care, consistency, and purpose.
This group may not look like your typical nonprofit board — but I wouldn’t trade them for anything. They showed up when all we had was a dream, a room at the library, and a few chairs around a whiteboard.
That’s where The Kringle Cause really began.
