It was eight years ago when Sarah’s life was forever changed by the car accident that killed her husband and father of their three young children.

“Charlie always made me laugh, he was a great parent and partner, he was just such a great great guy,” Sarah says. “I always say Charlie may not have lived a long life, but he sure did live a BIG life! He lived the last year like a tourist! He traveled a lot! The kids were just 3, 5, and 6 when their dad passed; I was 31. We had just celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary – a trip of a lifetime in St. Maarten. It was beautiful!”

She remembers thinking, “When you’re 32 years old, you don’t ever have the plan that you’ll be burying your spouse. But life goes on. You still have bills to pay, your mortgage, car payments – even though your main source of income is no longer there.”

“The Kinzler Foundation is what helped me make my house payment and put food on the table in the first months after Charlie was gone,” said Sarah. “That put me at ease; it gave me the time to focus just on my family and get us back into a routine, a new normal.”

Now eight years later, Sarah says, “Isabella, 15, is a sophomore in high school and enjoying playing tennis. Charlie, 14, is in 8th grade; he plays goalie in AAA hockey. He looks identical to his dad. Anastasia 12, is in 7th grade; she is doing equestrian vaulting which is very therapeutic! I have found a great partner Paul who has been by my side with his amazing three kids.”

“This new path hasn’t been easy but it’s been what we have made it! There have been total strangers that have helped along the way because you just never know what way your path is going to take you down!”