What are you both most passionate about? Why?
We are most passionate about our children. Everything we do is guided by the question of what kind of world we are helping to create for them. We love them more than anything, and we think constantly about the mark we leave behind, not just for our own children, but for future generations as well.
If you had a family slogan, what would it be?
“Do it for Curvis.” We met a remarkable man named Curvis while on vacation, and his kindness, generosity, and goodness left a lasting impression on all of us. Some people inspire you to be a better version of yourself, and for our family, Curvis has come to symbolize that idea. Whenever we say, “Do it for Curvis,” we mean: choose kindness, lead with integrity, and try to make a positive difference.
Why is donating a priority for your family?
As parents, the internet can feel overwhelming. It’s impossible to keep up with every way children might be negatively impacted online. Supporting Fairplay gives us confidence that we are helping to create a safer, healthier digital world for kids. Donating is one way we can turn our concerns into action and help protect children beyond our own family.
When you choose a nonprofit organization to support, what’s important to you?
Trust is the most important factor. We want to know that the people leading the organization are dedicated, effective, and genuinely committed to the mission. Fairplay has come to feel like family to us. We deeply admire the work they do and are grateful for their tireless efforts to advocate for children and families.
How did you get introduced to Fairplay?
We were introduced to Fairplay through our dear friend John Mack. John has been a passionate advocate for protecting children from the challenges of the digital age, and his dedication has helped Fairplay grow into the impactful organization it is today. We are incredibly proud of his work and grateful that he introduced us to Fairplay and its mission.
What attracted you to Fairplay? And what motivates you to stay involved?
What first attracted us to Fairplay was its commitment to turning concern into action. So many parents worry about the impact of technology and social media on children, but Fairplay is actively working to bring these issues to the attention of lawmakers and push for meaningful protections.
What keeps us involved is the knowledge that these harms are not theoretical. We have heard heartbreaking stories from families whose children have suffered serious consequences because of online platforms, from cyberbullying and exploitation to dangerous interactions facilitated through social media. Those stories make it clear that there is still so much work to be done. Fairplay is tackling these challenges in a thoughtful, practical way, and we are proud to support that effort.
In your opinion, what is the most important work that Fairplay does?
The most important work Fairplay does is advocating for policies and protections that put children’s well-being ahead of corporate interests. Parents cannot navigate these challenges alone. Fairplay gives families a voice and works to ensure that technology companies and policymakers take responsibility for creating safer digital environments for children.
What do you hope the organization will achieve in the near future? In the long term?
In the near future, we hope Fairplay continues to build momentum for stronger protections for children online and greater accountability from technology companies. We would love to see more parents, educators, and policymakers become engaged in these issues.
In the long term, we hope Fairplay helps create a digital landscape where children’s safety, mental health, and development are prioritized by design rather than treated as an afterthought. Our goal is for future generations of children to be able to benefit from technology without being exposed to the many preventable harms that exist today.
To what degree do you feel your gift(s) have made a difference? Or, what is the needle you feel you are helping to move by supporting Fairplay? How so?
We believe our support helps amplify an issue that affects virtually every family. Fairplay is giving parents a voice in conversations that are too often dominated by powerful technology companies. By supporting Fairplay, we are helping to advance research, advocacy, education, and policy efforts that put children’s well-being first. We know meaningful change takes time, but every step toward greater accountability and stronger protections for children online is progress. We are proud to play even a small role in helping move that work forward.
Do you have a message to share that may motivate others to give, or increase their gifts, to Fairplay?
The challenges facing children online are not going away on their own. Every parent wants to believe their child will be safe, but the reality is that families need advocates working on these issues every day. Fairplay is doing that work. If you care about children’s mental health, safety, and future, supporting Fairplay is one of the most impactful ways to help create a healthier digital world for the next generation.