ABOUT US
The Corpsman Maxton W Soviak Memorial Foundation was founded by his parents to honor his memory and continue his legacy.
“It is an honor to stand proudly in support of his fellow Veterans that served our country and their families. Our goal is to create a foundation that helps Veterans, and their family members, by linking them to services tailored to their unique needs.”
— Kip and Rachel Soviak
OUR MISSION
To provide Veterans and their families with Adventure, Experiences and Resources to Live Life to the MAX!
We believe all Veterans deserve support. Our foundation is focused on alleviating the challenges Veterans and their families face as they transition back into civilian life. Max grew up hearing “you can’t save the world, but you can help one person at a time.”
We are committed to upholding the Navy’s standards, which Maxton pledged to serve, as the guiding principles of our foundation.
★ OUR VALUES ★
HONOR
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We will be mindful of the privilege to serve our fellow Americans with integrity. We are ethical and respectful in our endeavors and will continue to embrace new ideas.
COURAGE
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Doing what we believe needs to be done, not in the absence of fear but in spite of it.
COMMITMENT
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We will strive to come together as a team to improve the quality of life for veterans and their families regardless of race, religion, or gender for personal improvement.
★ OUR BOARD ★
Our Board is comprised of dedicated volunteers who generously contribute their time, expertise, and passion to guide our mission without compensation.
Rachel Soviak
Maxton Soviak’s Mother, founding member of the Foundation. I am a stay-at-home mom of 13 children 7 biological and 6 adopted, I have dedicated my life to my family and children. We have been a therapeutic foster home for 15 years fostering many children with behavior and medical needs. Keeper of the wild ones.
PRESIDENT
Kip Soviak
Maxton Soviak’s Father, founding member of the Foundation. RN, BSN from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree from Chamberlin University as an advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner. Currently working to add Psychiatric certificate in the hopes of working with Veterans struggling with mental health.
VICE PRESIDENT
Jessi Crey-Smith
Pediatric Occupational Therapist. Master’s degree of Occupational Therapy from Medical College of Ohio. I have been friends with Max’s mom Rachel for the past 15 years. Through our friendship I “watched” Max grow up through all the stories she told of his adventures!
SECRETARY
Jennifer Grant
Bookkeeper, business owner, and Administrative Assistant for Milan Township Board of Trustees. BS in Early Childhood Education from Kent State and MEd from Bowling Green State University. Max was a close friend of my oldest son through middle and high school where they also played football together. I am honored to hold a small part in helping this foundation reach as many veterans as possible with life-affirming support.
TREASURER
Entrepreneur. I knew Max for 20 years. My son Bryce and Max were childhood friends and Max spent a lot of time with my family. I was Max’s T-ball and baseball coach and one of his Cub Scout Leaders. My husband Kurt was his football coach for 6 years and coached with Max’s father Kip for two of those years.
CANINE COMMITTEE CHAIRElena Ostheimer
Brian Walleman
Operations Shift Supervisor and Senior Reactor Operator at the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station. B.S. in Information Systems from the University of Phoenix. Army SFC Veteran of 13 years. I take great pride in my dedication to serve my county and also in people. I am a proud husband, father, and foster parent. It is the greatest honor to be a part of this foundation.
GOLF COMMITTEE CHAIR
Connie Ward
Mayor of Berlin Heights and Regional Supervisor for the Ohio Farm Bureau. BS in Agriculture from OSU, and MBA from Ashland University. I first met Max when the Soviak family lived next door to my grandmother. In later years I enjoyed watching him play football and wrestle.
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR
Police officer with the Berlin Heights Police Department for 22 years, the last 17 as the Chief of Police. I first met Maxton when he was enrolled in Safety Town at the age of 5. Maxton grew up just down the street from me. Over the years I watched him grow from a young boy into a young man, a young man his family and community are proud of.
BOARD MEMBERCharity Schafer
Cindy is a lifelong Erie County resident proud mother of two grown children, Noah and Gabrielle. Although I never knew Max personally, I loved watching him play football and wrestle with my nephews at Edison High School. Having both loved and lost a Veteran as well as having family that serve, I have a deep appreciation for our military. I am humbled and grateful to serve on the board of this incredible organization honoring Max and supporting our veterans as they are encouraged to Live Life to the MAX!
BOARD MEMBERCindy Norcross
Sam Given
Chief Master Sergeant (Ret.) Samuel D. Given brings over 36 years of military leadership to the Foundation, spanning a distinguished career in the U.S. Marines and the U.S. Air Force. A veteran of multiple combat operations, including Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, Sam served as a key figure in global tanker operations and a senior enlisted leader. Today, he is a Master Trainer with Professional K9, leveraging over 20 years of expertise to provide veterans with life-changing service dogs. Driven by a mission of independence and confidence, Sam combines his military leadership with a passion for helping veterans heal through expertly trained K9 partnerships.
CANINE VETERAN LIASON
Navy Veteran with 6 years of service as a Hospital Corpsman/EMT. Currently a 21-year Elementary Educator with a B.A. from Ashland University in K-8 Elementary Education, a Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction from Grand Canyon Institute, and a Post-Graduate Certification in Applied Behavior Analysis from Purdue Global University. I grew up in Berlin Heights and graduated from Edison High School with Kip, Max’s dad. I had the privilege of watching Max grow up alongside my own children as Max’s mom provided childcare for my youngest. I am inspired by my family, friends, adult children, Christopher and Heyley, and I am humbled to be a part of this foundation.
VETERAN LIAISON