Dear friends,

I’ve been very fortunate in my life. Although I came from a family of nine with a well-below average income level, through scholarships and grants I was privileged to go to college. (The first one of 63 grandchildren.) While at college I was introduced to travel through the California State College International Program (certainly a twist of fate) where I was awarded one year of study in Uppsala, Sweden. Since then I’ve traveled to Italy, France, England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Greece, Japan, Australia and am now studying in Canada. My 20’s, 30’s & half of my 40’s were spent carousing the streets of Hollywood (not in that way… geez!), knocking on directors’ doors, working on movie and television sets, hob-nobbing with the likes of Robin Williams, Rod Stewart, Johnny Carson, Jerry Seinfeld, Jay Leno, Ellen, Erik Estrada, Billy Idol, Richard Dreyfus, Ozzy Osbourne, John Ritter, Bruce Willis and many more. I’m not saying I was “friends” with these people but we did rub shoulders, so to speak. I’ve eaten at great restaurants, and stayed at 5 star hotels, I’ve even flown 1st class a couple of times! I mention this because, if you knew what my childhood was like, you would never guess I’ve been able to break the socio-economic barriers to this degree. Not that I’ve ‘lived’ this way, I’ve just been lucky enough to have experienced it – I kinda like it!

Over the years, many, many people have helped me out financially, mechanically (my various cars), educationally (teaching me skills in post-production), emotionally (thank you MM!) and technically (my various computers, memory & software) and in my travels, (staying with friends or friends of friends.)

I am so grateful for all the help (angels disguised as people) I’ve had in my life. There is no way, I would’ve experienced so much in my life, if it weren’t for the generosity of family and friends.

Although my business was just starting to pick up last June 2004, I decided to put it on semi-hiatus in order to pursue a Master of Arts in Photographic Preservation and Collections Management. I’ve made a sacrifice in doing so, but for what I believe is a higher cause. I am confident that this formal schooling, in the work I love, will enable me to help preserve family histories on a more educated and informed level.

In order to continue this pursuit as well as to re-launch Preserving the Past™ upon graduating in October 2006, additional funds are going to be needed. My promise is that I will pass it forward. Once I get through my Masters Program and get my business going again, I plan to set up a scholarship fund and an entrepreneur fund to help others that may have potential but lack the start-up money to pursue their goals. I am certain that Preserving the Past™ will be successful enough so that I can sponsor future students and up-and-coming businesses one day.

If you feel so inspired to sponsor Preserving the Past™ with a monetary or other type of donation (computer equipment, gift certificates, etc.), please click the donation button below. I will post your logo on my website with a link to your business, or you can remain anonymous to the public if you wish. Your generosity is appreciated and will not be forgotten. Thank you for your support.