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Chronic Pain Support Group (4 Years) Page 6 Page 7
Organizational Impact: Mike’s knowledge has improved the office side of the SRD Foundation, cleaning
up the billing process and updating all our forms. His business knowledge has helped guide conversations on
sustainability and growing services. His willingness to help others is evident when he’s running support groups,
individual counseling sessions and out in the community at events. His intangible contributions are numerous.
Providing guidance with bookkeeping has helped streamline the process to ensure donor data is accessible and
available for further needs. As an individual that has had to live with chronic pain, debilitating and limiting
daily activities, Mike is committed to improving the mental well being. He’s a true advocate for those in need,
building on skills our youth have and providing additional research based tools to help make life more enjoy-
able.
Biography: Mike Keesler has been a fixer since his childhood. In 1964, when Mike was nine, he lost his father
to cancer. He grew up with a working mom and two younger brothers, so he learned early the importance of
helping others. Losing both his mother and father-in-law to cancer in just a two-month period, Mike quickly
became aware of the destruction the disease causes both to those enduring it and those standing on the sidelines.
After multiple back surgeries, and being restricted to nearly no movement at all, Mike saw his purpose -- to help
improve the mental well-being of others by helping build their unique abilities. Joining the American Cancer
Society and serving on the planning committee for the local Relay for Life, Mike took on multiple tasks, plan-
ning, concessions, advocacy, and even the entertainment for the annual events. Mike’s chronic pain helped him
live the struggles first hand, enabling him to be an advocate for those in physical and mental pain. Just a year
ago, Mike joined the mental health teams at SRD-Straightening Reins Foundation. He provides counseling ser-
vices and runs support groups three days a week, often wrapping up after 9 pm. Mike has been instrumental in
researching and creating new curriculum for the school programs at the ranch. His precision and neatness have
helped streamline the billing and bookkeeping process, ensuring every funding source possible.

Taylor Kellstrom
Owner, SCV Book Exchange, and Agent, HomeSmart Realtor
Nominated by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Circle of Hope
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (6 years)
• Event chair and sponsor, Bowling for Kids
• Dancing with our Stars participant
Circle of Hope (4.5 years)
• President
• Vice president
• Share the Love campaign, Galpin Subaru
• Walk Committee
• Afternoon Tea Committee
• Public Relations ambassador
WSHUSD (5 Years)
• Motivational speaker for students
American Cancer Society
• Volunteer, Relay for Life survivor dinner
SCV Chamber of Commerce
• Leadership Academy
• Young Business Person of the Year, 2014
Organizational Impact: After four years on the Circle of Hope board, Taylor became president and continued
to chair COH’s signature fundraising event, Vine2Wine, raising over $107K to date under his guidance. He re-
cently oversaw and brought about COH’s move to a bigger and more diverse space. Taylor volunteers countless
hours to Circle of Hope’s mission and is a founding member of Hope’s Haven Cancer Wellness Center, a dream
he has continued to pursue since joining the organization. The Center will bring multiple ancillary healing and
life-style services to local cancer patients, all free of charge.
Taylor has spearheaded the community-hosted fundraiser for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for the last