Board

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. She and her husband Dave have recently made Arizona 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.

Whitney Barnes is a legislative spokesperson in Springfield, Illinois where she lives with her husband Brian and three children Arlo, August and Viona. She first learned about Share the Spirit while working as a freelance journalist covering the organization for a local magazine. She started volunteering soon after and especially enjoys the Back-to-School-Event. Besides shoe events Whitney also focuses on the marketing and communication aspects of the organization.

Jessica Edwards is the Director of Customer Experience for MCN Healthcare, a complete software solution for healthcare document management and compliance. She has always been passionate about service to others. Before serving in the U.S. Army, she worked for a non-profit animal shelter and following her service, she has continued to volunteer with Share the Spirit Foundation and numerous food pantries. In 2019 she helped coordinate a shoes for kids event in Austin. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys hikes with her dog and going to the beach near home in San Diego, CA.

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.

Jessica Page resides in rural eastern Colorado with her husband and three young children. She has been involved with local Share the Spirit shoe events for three years. Other volunteer experience includes the African Community Center and the Northwest Coalition for Better Schools, both in Denver, where she also graduated from Regis University. Jessica enjoys being outdoors with animals and spends her days making sure her children get enough time with both the outdoors and the animals.

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.

Leslie Watkins has been a school social worker for 25 years, with 15 of those years at District 186 in Springfield, Illinois. She has worked with many non-profits to secure food, clothing and other essentials for children and families. Leslie has been the “point person” for STS to recommend schools, needs and contact information for schools in the district. She also helped organize the Easter Basket event in 2020 for students and families from Southern View Elementary. Leslie has been married to her husband, Michael, for 21 years and they have two sons - Lane (21) and Evan (18). She grew up in Waverly, Illinois and still lives there to this day. Her husband recently relocated to Arizona where they are currently building their dream home, where she will join him once it is finished. For fun she enjoys reading, walking, shopping and decorating.

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.