Who we are:

More Heart Than Scars is a 501 (c)(3) Charity Organization that was founded in 2013 by Zack Paben and Wendy Paben-Gellman, after they found out that their young daughter, Snowlilly, had a heart defect that could require surgeries over the years. They decided to form the organization to help others deal with trauma and anxiety in their own lives, by providing a safe community of acceptance and holistic healing, while helping to empower them to achieve goals they did not think were possible in their lives.

The term “More heart than scars”, means that everyone is greater than the scars they carry. Our Team is identified many times out on a Spartan Course, because we are helping one of our adaptive wheelchair teammates with visible scars conquer their goals, but what you don’t see is that we have many others we are helping at the same time with invisible scars.These invisible scars can be, but are not limited to:

• Suicide Attempt

• Suicidal Ideation

• PTSD/CPTSD

• Depression

• Anxiety

• Addiction/Substance Abuse Recovery

• Trauma

• Abuse/Domestic Violence

• Grief

We all have invisible scars, and as Co-Founder, Zack Paben says, “Visible & Invisible scars are the marks that you carry, they mark time, but they are NOT your identity.” We want to help you live boldly beyond your scars, with More Faith Than Fear, More Love Than Hate, More Hope Than Despair & More Heart Than Scars!