Early Vision Supporters

Some people wait until a vision becomes reality before deciding to support it. Travis and Jennifer Jessop chose a different path.

As two of our earliest vision supporters, Travis and Jennifer believed in Angels Among Us long before there was a building, a program, or visible proof of what the future would hold. Through their generosity, encouragement, and unwavering belief in the mission, they have faithfully stood beside Angels Among Us from the very beginning.

One moment perfectly reflects their generous spirit. During The Texas Tenors event, Travis purchased a guitar, had it signed by the members of The Texas Tenors, and then generously auctioned it off himself, donating all of the proceeds to Angels Among Us. It wasn't part of one of our fundraising events—it was simply a thoughtful act of generosity inspired by a desire to help the mission succeed. That gesture perfectly reflects who Travis and Jennifer are: people who consistently look for meaningful ways to make a difference and quietly encourage others along the way.

Some people support a vision by making a contribution. Others help shape the vision itself.

From the earliest days of Angels Among Us, John Knudson has been one of our most trusted advisors, generous supporters, and steadfast believers. He was among the first to invest financially in the organization, but his greatest contributions have reached far beyond a donation.

John has generously shared his knowledge, experience, and wisdom as Angels Among Us has taken shape, offering invaluable guidance on organizational planning, long-term sustainability, and the creation of a perpetual fund that will help secure the future of our mission for generations to come. His willingness to answer questions, offer advice, and help in any way possible has made him an indispensable part of our journey.

One conversation perfectly captures John's heart for this mission. After making one of the organization's earliest contributions, he shared the vision of Angels Among Us with his dear friend and business associate, John Woolley Timpson. Inspired by what he heard, John Woolley immediately became one of our earliest Founding Partners, proving that belief has a remarkable way of spreading from one person to another.

John also challenged us to think beyond today. He encouraged Angels Among Us to establish a perpetual fund that would provide lasting support for generations to come and wanted to make the very first $2,000 contribution to that fund.

Knowing the trusted relationship we already had with Holm & Cawley Financial Group, LLC, John recommended them as the right people to help guide those conversations. He also expressed his willingness to help with the costs of establishing the fund if needed, demonstrating once again his desire to invest not only in today's needs, but in the long-term future of Angels Among Us. John's inaugural contribution has already been set aside and is ready to become the very first deposit once the perpetual fund is officially established.

Through his personal generosity and the continued support of his companies, John has helped lay a strong foundation for Angels Among Us. His leadership, encouragement, and willingness to share his knowledge continue to strengthen our organization as we work to build a brighter future for children with disabilities and their families.

John Woolley Timpson is a respected leader in the Short Creek community whose life has been defined by service, generosity, and a sincere desire to care for the people around him.

When he first learned about the vision for Angels Among Us, he immediately recognized its potential to make a lasting difference for children with disabilities and their families. Without hesitation, John became one of our earliest Founding Partners, helping provide the momentum needed during the organization's earliest days.

His belief in this vision reflects the same commitment he has always shown to strengthening the community he loves. We are deeply grateful for his friendship, generosity, and confidence in what Angels Among Us will become.

Bill and Becky Zitting have been extraordinary Founding Partners whose generosity, encouragement, and unwavering belief have helped strengthen Angels Among Us from the very beginning.

From our very first fundraiser, Bill and Becky were looking for ways to help. They gathered generous gift cards that became part of our raffle baskets, helping create exciting opportunities to raise additional support for our mission. Whether through financial contributions, encouraging friends to get involved, or quietly finding new ways to help, they have consistently demonstrated a heart for giving and a genuine desire to see Angels Among Us succeed.

One story perfectly captures Bill and Becky. On the day of our first Kentucky Derby fundraiser, Bill had organized a side-by-side ride with a bunch of friends. They got to having so much fun they didn't make it back in time for the event. When we saw them later that evening, Bill just laughed and said they had gotten carried away, but he still made sure they supported the fundraiser. Standing beside him, our longtime family friend Lester Jessop reached into his pocket, pulled out $1,000 in cash, and said, "Sorry we missed your event." That's the kind of people Bill and Becky are—they never miss an opportunity to support something they believe in, even if life doesn't always go according to plan.

Their generosity, encouragement, and ability to bring others alongside them have helped build momentum for Angels Among Us from the very beginning.

Long before Angels Among Us had its name, one of my earliest ideas was to call the organization "It Takes a Village." Although that name wasn't available, the belief behind it never changed.

I've always believed that no family should have to navigate the challenges of raising a child with disabilities alone. It truly does take a village—a community willing to encourage, support, and walk beside one another through life's challenges. That belief became one of the foundations upon which Angels Among Us was built.

For nearly twelve years, I've had the privilege of working alongside the incredible team at Village Capital & Investment, LLC. During that time, I've witnessed firsthand a culture built on generosity, integrity, compassion, and a genuine desire to help others succeed. When Angels Among Us was still just an idea, Village Capital & Investment, LLC didn't simply support a nonprofit—they believed in a vision before there was a building, a program, or even visible proof of what the future might become.

Their generosity has extended far beyond financial contributions. They have faithfully supported fundraising events, encouraged the mission, and consistently demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of children with disabilities and the families we serve. Their support has provided encouragement, momentum, and hope during some of the earliest and most important chapters of this journey.

Looking back, it's hard not to appreciate the connection. While "It Takes a Village" never became the name of this organization, the principle behind those words has remained at the heart of everything we do. Village Capital & Investment, LLC has truly been part of that village from the very beginning, and Angels Among Us would not be where it is today without the encouragement and generosity of people who believed long before the vision became reality.

We are profoundly grateful to Village Capital & Investment, LLC for standing beside Angels Among Us from the beginning and for continuing to invest in a future where every child and every family has access to hope, opportunity, and a place to belong.

Jared and Sharon Zitting have been cherished Founding Partners of Angels Among Us from the very beginning. Their generous financial support, encouragement, and steadfast belief in our vision have helped move this mission forward during its earliest days.

They are the kind of friends everyone hopes to have—the ones who don't ask many questions when there's a need. They simply say, "Yes." Whether supporting fundraising events, giving through their family and business, or quietly stepping in to help however they can, Jared and Sharon have consistently demonstrated generosity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to our mission.

Their friendship has been every bit as meaningful as their generosity, and we are deeply grateful to have them walking this journey with us.

Larry and Darlene Stubbs have been cherished Founding Partners whose friendship, generosity, and leadership have helped shape Angels Among Us from the very beginning.

Their support has come in countless ways. They have faithfully sponsored events, made generous financial contributions, volunteered countless hours, and become trusted partners in nearly every step of our journey. Darlene serves on our Board of Directors, helping guide the organization with wisdom and compassion, while Larry has become a beloved tradition as the Master of Ceremonies for our Kentucky Derby horse races, bringing energy, laughter, and excitement to one of our favorite fundraising events.

More than supporters, Larry and Darlene are two of our dearest friends. Their encouragement, generosity, and unwavering belief have carried this vision through its earliest days, and quite simply, we couldn't have done any of this without our favorite MC, Larry Stubbs.

Some friends come into your life and quietly become family. That's exactly who Guy Steed has become to us.

Guy is one of the most genuine, generous people we've ever known. Because his work keeps him traveling, he never misses the opportunity to stop by whenever he's in town. And somehow, he never shows up empty-handed. Whether it's a new toy, a favorite treat, or both, Decker always knows Guy is coming with something special—and even more importantly, with a smile.

That same generous heart has been evident from the very beginning of Angels Among Us. Guy has supported our mission in every way imaginable—through financial contributions, raffle prizes, event sponsorships, participation in our fundraisers, and by always asking how he can help. His support has never been about recognition; it's simply who he is.

We often say we don't deserve a friend like Guy, but we are incredibly grateful that life brought him into ours. His kindness, generosity, and unwavering support have blessed our family and Angels Among Us in more ways than we could ever count.

From the moment Angels Among Us received its tax-exempt status, the Gordon Zitting Family Trust became one of our earliest and most faithful Founding Partners. Under the leadership of Ron Zitting, the Trust recognized the importance of investing in a vision dedicated to serving children with disabilities and their families.

The Gordon Zitting Family Trust has faithfully supported every fundraising effort from the very beginning. Whether attending an event in person or supporting from afar, they have always made sure Angels Among Us knew they were standing beside us. Time and again, they have reminded us of one simple truth—they are all in.

Their consistent generosity has provided more than financial support. It has provided confidence, encouragement, and the reassurance that this vision is worth building. Knowing they believed in Angels Among Us from the very beginning gave us the strength to keep moving forward, even when the future existed only as a dream.

We are profoundly grateful for the Gordon Zitting Family Trust, for Ron Zitting's leadership, and for a partnership rooted in generosity, trust, and an unwavering belief in what Angels Among Us will become.

From the very beginning, Holm & Cawley Financial Group, LLC has been a trusted Founding Partner of Angels Among Us. Before there was a building, programs, or services, they believed in our vision and committed themselves to helping us build a lasting future for children with disabilities and their families.

Their support has never been limited to financial contributions. Throughout our journey, they have shared their experience, offered thoughtful guidance, and continually expressed a willingness to help wherever they are needed. Knowing they believed in our mission has provided encouragement during many of the most important moments in our organization's early history.

As conversations began about creating a perpetual fund to help sustain Angels Among Us for generations to come, Holm & Cawley Financial Group, LLC welcomed those discussions and expressed their willingness to share their knowledge and guidance as the vision continued to develop. Their encouragement reinforced the importance of building not only for today's needs, but for the long-term future of the organization.

We are deeply grateful for their friendship, trusted counsel, generosity, and continued belief in the mission of Angels Among Us. Their encouragement and willingness to help have helped strengthen the foundation we are building for generations of children and families yet to come.

Some people believe in a vision because they can already see where it's going. Others simply believe in the person sharing it.

Jerold has been one of those people.

Shortly after Angels Among Us received its tax-exempt status, I reached out to share the vision and where I hoped this organization could go. There had been no fundraisers, no events, and nothing to show except a dream and a mission I believed in.

His response has stayed with me ever since:

"I've been meaning to ask a little more about this. I'd like to do something even if I start small."

Those words meant more to me than he'll probably ever know. Jerold didn't wait to see what Angels Among Us would become. He simply wanted to be part of it.

The beautiful thing is that his support turned out to be anything but small. Over the years, his generosity has continued to grow alongside Angels Among Us, but more than the gifts themselves, I've always appreciated the trust they represented. Being our friend was enough for Jerold to believe in our vision, and that belief has helped lay an important part of the foundation we're building today.

I'm grateful for his friendship, his generosity, and for believing in Angels Among Us from the very beginning.

Brandon Williams has been a valued Founding Partner of Angels Among Us since the very beginning. From the first announcement of our tax-exempt status, Brandon believed in our vision and has never stopped supporting our mission.

Whether attending an event or supporting from afar, Brandon has always found a way to be part of what we're building. He joined us for our inaugural Golf Tournament and, although he wasn't able to attend our Kentucky Derby fundraisers, that never kept him from showing his support. His generosity and continued belief have been a steady source of encouragement from the very beginning.

Beyond his support, Brandon is simply one of those people who always has a smile on his face. His positive attitude, kind heart, and unwavering belief in Angels Among Us have made him a treasured friend and partner in our journey.

We are sincerely grateful for Brandon's friendship, his faithful generosity, and the confidence he has placed in this vision from day one.

When Angels Among Us was just a dream, Susan was one of the first people to believe in it. Her early support wasn't about seeing what the organization would become—it was about believing in the vision from the very beginning, and that's something I'll always be grateful for.

Susan is one of those rare people who simply makes everyone around her better. She's one of my dearest friends, my sister-in-law, my mentor, and truly the sister I was lucky enough to gain. She leads with kindness, generosity, and compassion, is always learning and growing, and never hesitates to encourage or lift up the people around her.

I'm incredibly grateful to call Susan my friend and thankful she has walked beside me from the very beginning. Angels Among Us is stronger because she chose to believe in this vision when it was still just a dream.

I had met Truman a few times over the years at different events with many of my Zitting friends, but we really didn't know each other very well.

Shortly after Angels Among Us received its tax-exempt status, I sent him a simple text sharing a little about the vision and what I hoped this organization could become. There had been no fundraisers, no events, and no opportunity to see the mission in action. It was simply a text from a friend of a friend.

Even so, Truman chose to believe in the vision and became one of our very first Founding Partners. I've always appreciated that he was willing to take a chance on someone he hardly knew. That simple act of trust has stayed with me and reminds me how much can begin with a single conversation.

Levi and I have known each other through our community and mutual friendships for years, but we weren't part of each other's everyday circles. When Angels Among Us received its tax-exempt status, I sent him a simple text sharing the vision and where I hoped it could go.

Without hesitation, Levi chose to become one of our original Founding Partners. That response has always meant a great deal to me because it came from someone who simply wanted to be part of something he believed could make a difference. There was nothing to gain—just a willingness to help build something good from the very beginning.

I'll always be grateful that Levi believed in Angels Among Us during those early days. Support like his reminds me that sometimes the people who step forward aren't the ones closest to you—they're simply people with generous hearts who want to make their community better.