If you have any questions, or would just like to learn more about our foundation, please Email us at
information@thepiggybackfoundation.org

2012 Board Members

Lisa and Dirk Hiler Lisa and Dirk Hiler moved to Norwalk in 2005. Lisa graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a degree in Elementary Education. After teaching for several years she decided to retire and stay at home to raise their two children. Lisa has been an active volunteer in many communities. In Daytona Beach, Florida she volunteered for Safe House, a home for runaway teens. As a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Fraternity, she became an Alumnae Advisor at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. She has been active in coordinating events in several Parent Teacher Organizations.

Dirk graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in Engineering and started a career in manufacturing. Dirk has volunteered to coach youth sports and coached the Lacrosse club at Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana. As a business leader, Dirk has had the opportunity to serve the United Way and has been involved with stewardship at church.

The Piggyback Foundation was created after Dirk and Lisa saw the vision of Rosemary Hockney come to life in Detroit, Michigan. The Rosemary Hockney Memorial Foundation has been in existence for three years and has helped many families survive the tragic diagnosis of cancer. If you would like to read more about Rosemary Hockney go to www.rosehockneyfoundation.com.

Matt and Lisa Herner Lisa Herner is a 1986 graduate of Edison High School (Milan, OH) and a 1991 graduate of The Ohio State University. She resides in Norwalk with her husband, Matt, and their two children, Hannah and Andrew. Matthew is a 1985 Norwalk High School graduate 1989 Bowling Green State University graduate. In 1995, Lisa and Matt moved back home to Norwalk from Crossville, Tennessee in anticipation of the birth of Hannah and the desire to live near 'The Grandparents', Robert and Janet Herner of Norwalk and Wayne and Carol Langham of Berlin Heights. Soon after settling in Norwalk, in May of 1996, Lisa and Matt opened the doors of Christian Robert's Salon and Spa. The business developed out of Lisa's passion for people and Matt's desire to serve the local area.

The Piggyback Foundation, for Lisa, has been an answer to prayer&helip; an opportunity to be a blessing to families in our local community. It's amazing to experience what God can do when you, first, listen, and then obey… powerful! Matt, Lisa, and the Christian Robert's staff enthusiastically sponsored the Piggyback's annual fund raiser the first Sunday in November, "Cutting for a Cause".

Allison Smith Allison Smith is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a B.S.N. degree. Upon graduation, she remained and worked at the University Hospital for 11 years. Allison and her family moved to Norwalk in 2006. Two years prior, her oldest child, Tim, was diagnosed with Leukemia and began a 4 year battle which he lost on March 19th, 2008. Before and after Tim's passing, the Piggyback Foundation reached out to the Smith family and when Allison was honored to become part of the foundation, she accepted. Helping other families dealing with life threatening illnesses has been both rewarding and therapeutic.

Cindy Liben Cindy Liben was born a poor polish girl in the Slavic Village in Cleveland. Her parents moved to Independence, Ohio where Cindy grew up with her five siblings. She graduated from Kent State University in Nutrition and Dietetics. Cindy received master's degree from Case Western, where she met her husband, Dr. Nicholas Liben. Together, they moved to Norwalk with their three children. Cindy is actively involved in volunteer work at the Food Bank and is passionate about helping others learn to love and care for themselves through nutrition and exercise and a Christ centered life. Cindy organizes meals for our PBF Families.

Melissa Avendano Melissa Avandano graduated from Ohio State University with a B.S. degree in Allied Medicine in 1991. She worked as a respiratory therapist in trauma, neonatal intensive care, and adult ICU. She met her husband, Dr. Chris Avendano, in Columbus, Ohio. (And she always swore she would never marry a doctor!) Together they moved to Charleston, S.C. where she worked as a Respiratory Critical Care Coordinator. In 2000, Chris and Melissa moved to Milan, Ohio. Melissa chose to stay–at–home and raise their two sons. Since then, she has been an advocate for the Human Society and is passionate about all dogs. Melissa is an active volunteer at St. Paul's Catholic School and Church. She joined The Piggyback Foundation in 2010 as an active volunteer, runs the Madge and Ray Filkins Piggyback Readers and the Goodwill Program.

Lisa Marcum Lisa Marcum grew up in Monroeville, Ohio. She graduated with a degree in education. She is currently working at David Price Metal Works. Lisa is talented in many areas including baking, crafting and couponing. Lisa helps PBF families organize benefits. She runs the PBF Birthday program and makes sure that every child receives a wish for their birthday.

Linda Camp Linda Camp has been a long time resident of Norwalk. She graduated from the Toledo School of Nursing at Toledo University. She worked as an educator at EHOVE Career Center in the field of Nursing. Linda has volunteered for Stein Hospice and is active in many social activities. Linda has 14 grandchildren and two great–grandchildren. In her retirement she loves to travel. She brings joy and laughter to our board which is much needed when dealing with life threatening illnesses.

From left to right: Melissa Avendano, Lisa Marcum, Cindy Liben, Lisa Hiler, Allison Smith, Lisa Herner, Matt Herner
Not pictured are Linda Camp and Dirk Hiler