Steve Younce
Steve Younce – Director of Jane’s Mission Initiative
Tell us a little about you.
(Jane's Battle With Cancer)
I’m an insurance claim adjuster, however, that’s my job not what I do. Jane and I were married for 11 years on June 1st and she passed just two days shy of that anniversary. I celebrate her re-birthday every year since her death, two years ago; I paint a painting for her. Before Jane died, she told me she wanted me to go out and date and fall in love again after she was gone; she wanted me to be happy again. Eventually, I’ve gotten to the point where I can. I will always love her and Jane’s mission is something I had to do for her out of that love..
Why art?
(About Jane's Mission)
I chose art in part because I am an artist and from what I’ve learned, that tends to set us apart in the arena of fundraising efforts. There are other groups that do run/walks…something more traditional, however from what I have learned, the art aspect is really quite unique to us. It is a visual drawing point…no matter what the subject. I would like to try to put together a small booklet full of some of Jane’s writings to hand out to those who attend the fundraisers and someday maybe get some of them published.
What else do you have planned?
(About The Fundraiser)
Well, in September of '09 we held our first Silent Auction. The theme had to do with art and creative writing…Jane being a writer and I am an artist. A good amount of the donations came from the art community I am associated with. It ended up being a social event, held in a coffee shop off the square. It was well attended and we ended up raising around $6,000, which was outstanding to us.
We will try to push another silent auction. We have new members in the group that have new fresh ideas so we are looking at new possibilities. For this auction though, we are encouraging people to donate items that would appeal to a wider audience than just those that appreciate art.
What are your long term goals for the organization? Where do you see this company in the future?
My motto is dream big or go home. The end goal is to ultimately find a way to beat this cancer. This is my calling…I would rather be doing this eventually than a day job just to pay my bills.
