Edward Villaume

Before he could even spell or write, Edward Villaume has been creating stories. His grandmother often spoke of when he was only four years old, Edward would go into the basement of her home, type stories on her 1930s typewriter, and then run to show her the story he’d typed. She would look at the page of scrambled letters and spaces, then ask him to please read it to her. She loved to hear him “read” his stories, and he loved reading every story to her, and to his grandfather when he returned from work. His grandparents encouraged Edward to believe in himself and his wonderful mind.

Growing up in Minnesota, life in and out of school had its challenges for Edward. Undiagnosed dyslexia didn’t help. But with faith, resilience, and his positive ‘always get up when knocked down’ attitude, he has overcome countless obstacles and setbacks throughout his life.

He has always been a champion of children’s charities and has never seen a problem he didn’t want to solve—believing there is an answer for every question, and that everything is possible.