Who We Are

A smiling man with glasses and a beard, wearing a blue suit and light blue shirt, standing in an office setting.

John Foppe
Founder

Born without arms, John Foppe is a globally recognized speaker, author, and nonprofit executive dedicated to uplifting the poor and vulnerable. With decades of experience in social work, cross-cultural relations, and nonprofit leadership, he brings a powerful message of resilience to those who need it most.

A man with short dark hair, blue eyes, and light skin wearing a light blue collared shirt over a white undershirt, standing against a plain gray background.

Craig Spihlman
Director

Living with Cerebral Palsy, Craig Spihlman brings both personal insight and professional expertise to Friends of the Forgotten. His three-decade horticulture career, recognized nationally for excellence, reflects resilience, leadership, and commitment—qualities he now channels into guiding our mission of hope and dignity for children with disabilities worldwide.

Neil Hustedde
President

A seasoned entrepreneur and community leader, Neil Hustedde serves as President of Friends of the Forgotten, applying over three decades of business management and civic service to uplift those in need. As the former head of his multigenerational family company, Quad-County Ready Mix, and Grand Knight of the Breese Knights of Columbus, Neil brings strategic leadership and a deep commitment to faith-driven service.

“The Hug That Changed Everything”

Click below as John Foppe, founder, shares the moment that began it all.

We Believe

Friends of the Forgotten is a lay Catholic ministry rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and animated by the Church’s call to serve the poor, the vulnerable, and the forgotten. Inspired by the sacred dignity of every human life, we seek to embody Christ’s love and mercy—especially to institutionalized and disabled children in the developing world.

In the mystery of the Cross, we find not only solidarity with the afflicted, but also a call to love them as Christ loves us. In serving the forgotten, we encounter Christ Himself and affirm the Church’s mission to be a sign of hope and healing in a broken world.

We joyfully welcome collaboration with our Christian brothers and sisters from other traditions who share our commitment to uphold the dignity of every person and to bring compassion, justice, and mercy to those who are often unseen.

A woman with a prosthetic arm smiling and looking at a young girl with down syndrome, who is laughing and sitting on her lap, outdoors on a sunny day.