About Us

Karen Voepel makes her home on the plains of eastern Colorado with husband Bill Broyles.  She is a retired court reporter enjoying life as a photographer and volunteer.  Karen has a son and step-daughter who both have two children.  Making things happen at Share the Spirit is a real joy for Karen, along with spoiling grandchildren, spending time in the outdoors and traveling.
Tonya Voepel is a graphic designer and owner of Voepel Publication Services, Inc. in Springfield, Illinois.  She received her B.A. from the University of Illinois at Springfield and has worked in the design industry since 1986.  She and her husband Dave have recently added Arizona as their home base but still consider Illinois home. Their daughter Ellie has participated in STS events since the age of five and now resides in Kansas.  Tonya has helped to integrate the Shoe Clozets, Looking Glass Project and  Next Step Program into Share the Spirit Foundation as well as marketing aspects for the foundation.
Mary Lane was an elementary school teacher in New Hampshire for twenty-four years before retiring to Arizona in 2000 to be near her son, wife and grandchildren. She and her husband, Jay, make their home in Sierra Vista, Arizona where Mary stays busy working part-time at Edward Jones, playing golf and mahjong, frequently traveling to Mexico and spending time with her family.​
 Crystal Richards has been volunteering at STS shoe events for over five years now.  She most recently displayed her skills as bartender for our Sip & Savor fundraiser in Colorado. Crystal has worked for AT&T (formerly DIRECTV) for almost 24 years holding multiple field management positions. She received her B.A. from Adams State College in Business with an emphasis on Marketing and Art, particularly bronze sculpture. She loves her“fur babies” and enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, listening to music and volunteering. She has an array of volunteer experience including, K-12 projects, JA fundraisers, time at the Food Bank of the Rockies, Project C.U.R.E. and the American Heart Association heart walk fundraisers.
Rick Robbins is an active volunteer in his community of Lamar, Colorado where he is a board member and past president of Prowers Economic Prosperity and Prowers 4-H Foundation. He is the father of two adult children and six grandchildren and enjoys spending time in the mountains, fishing, hiking and taking family trips. Rick is the CEO of Colorado Mills, a sunflower oil refinery, distributing commercially and regionally at Whole Foods and other retailers.
Tom Walters has recently taken on the roll of Illinois Director for Share the Spirit Foundation and will continue to  coordinate the needs of our community in Springfield, Illinois. Tom works for Caterpillar Inc. as Director of Global Government and Corporate affairs based in Springfield.  He and his wife Megan are parents to two wonderful boys. Tom established the St. Joseph the Worker Pre-School program in Chatham, Illinois, served on the school board and PTC at Little Flower School and is an assistant tennis coach at a local high school. He is drawn to Share the Spirit by the organization’s direct care for the community’s neediest and the commitment and passion of those who make up the organization. Tom also serves on the board of Springfield Catholic Charities. 
Julie Weichert has assisted with several shoe events in Springfield and Jacksonville, Illinois over the years. She is currently the Shoe Clozet Coordinator in Illinois, tracking and fulfilling the inventory for all three locations. She has served on the Illinois fundraising committee and acquired donations for the holiday giving program.  Julie is retired after over 20 years working with non-profit organizations in Illinois and has a wide array of volunteer experience. She and her husband Bob enjoy traveling and spending time at their home in Florida. They have two daughters (one in Illinois and one in Alaska) and three grandchildren. Her greatest joy comes from spending time with family and friends and trying to make a positive difference in any way I can.