thedrifter
03-14-07, 10:41 AM
Charity founder steps down after DUI arrest
By Gillian Flaccus - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Mar 14, 2007 7:24:59 EDT
SANTA ANA, Calif. — The founder of a charity that brought hundreds of family members of fallen U.S. soldiers to Southern California for an expenses-paid weekend said Tuesday he will temporarily step down from his leadership role following his arrest last week for investigation of drunken driving.
Snowball Express founder Michael Kerr was arrested March 8 in Aliso Viejo and his wife and business partner, Jean Moore, was arrested for obstructing an officer, Orange County sheriff’s Sgt. Paul Fuzzard said at the time.
Jonathan Wilcox, spokesman for the charity, said the board had not yet decided on replacements for Kerr and his wife.
“It is necessary for us to step aside for now and let the Snowball Express flourish and thrive as never before,” the Kerrs wrote in a statement that Wilcox released. “We have voluntarily requested and been given ... leave of absence from our work so that we may focus our full energy on personal family matters.”
Kerr, 47, founded Snowball Express last year and brought 900 family members of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan to Southern California in December for a whirlwind weekend that included trips to Disneyland, a hockey game and an elaborate party.
His foundation, the M. Scott Kerr Foundation, received $1 million worth of in-kind contributions and raised nearly $100,000. The project received extensive coverage from national news media.
By Gillian Flaccus - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Mar 14, 2007 7:24:59 EDT
SANTA ANA, Calif. — The founder of a charity that brought hundreds of family members of fallen U.S. soldiers to Southern California for an expenses-paid weekend said Tuesday he will temporarily step down from his leadership role following his arrest last week for investigation of drunken driving.
Snowball Express founder Michael Kerr was arrested March 8 in Aliso Viejo and his wife and business partner, Jean Moore, was arrested for obstructing an officer, Orange County sheriff’s Sgt. Paul Fuzzard said at the time.
Jonathan Wilcox, spokesman for the charity, said the board had not yet decided on replacements for Kerr and his wife.
“It is necessary for us to step aside for now and let the Snowball Express flourish and thrive as never before,” the Kerrs wrote in a statement that Wilcox released. “We have voluntarily requested and been given ... leave of absence from our work so that we may focus our full energy on personal family matters.”
Kerr, 47, founded Snowball Express last year and brought 900 family members of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan to Southern California in December for a whirlwind weekend that included trips to Disneyland, a hockey game and an elaborate party.
His foundation, the M. Scott Kerr Foundation, received $1 million worth of in-kind contributions and raised nearly $100,000. The project received extensive coverage from national news media.