Mike spent 39 years as a SPIE (Senior Process Improvement Engineer) at Quaker/PepsiCo in Bridgeview as a pasta expert.   Upon retirement, he began volunteering at Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, IL.   After nearly ten years and a move to Indiana, where he now volunteers at Northwest Hospital in Valparaiso, he established Little Heroes Hug Squad to expand his contributions  to  pediatric patients undergoing surgical or anesthesia required procedures.   Mike partnered with Lavender Life Company https://lavender-life.com to select scented cuddly bunnies, kittens and dogs to sooth young children who are hospitalized.