Our Story

So many of us are blessed to have our health and the necessities of life.We watch our children go to school, get 3+ meals a day, and have all the water and food they can possibly imagine.  As we drive to and from work, go hiking on weekends,  have a nice dinners  or see movies, there is another side of the world that is quite different. There are places where sickness and loss of life run rampant and food and clean water are scarce.  Where there are no schools, no teachers, and the people live their lives as  others could only imagine.  Some say “it’s not fair”, while others say “we create the life we live”.  While there may be truth to both statements, what about asking,  “How can I be part of lifting my fellow man, woman and child to better health and wellness?”  That’s the question Drs. Ron and Mary Oberstein asked themselves years ago, when they started their service work around the world to the less fortunate.  Over the years, it became evident that others not only felt the same way about the state of health and living throughout the world, but that they also wanted to help make a difference.  Out of this caring and love, Hands For Life was born.  It was time for the Obersteins to  create a bigger game, one that surpassed themselves and included others from around the world.  Whether it is doctors volunteering their time and talent through Hands For Life, or people throughout the world donating money to help fund Hands For Life projects, it proves that there is “Power In Numbers.” In 2014, over 6000 children and adults in Mexico were seen by Hands For Life doctors.   In November of 2014,  Hands For Life doctors served along with a small group of doctors to see over 7200 people in 4 days while on a service trip in India.    The first school built through the donation of Dr. Ron  was in 1985 on the island of Bali, and since that time, he has helped many other rural areas increase their educational  output to children.  The first and third Saturday of every month, Hands For Life doctors and volunteers travel to Tijuana, Mexico to take care of orphans, families in need of health care, and the sick and suffering.  And 5 days a week, Hands For Life serves those with financial hardships  in San Diego.  The potential to increase the health and well-being within one person, one village, one state, one country and one world is UP TO US!!  And your help is part of the solution!

Our Mission

To create a natural avenue for the underserved, financial hard-shipped population throughout the world to regain their health through:

  1. Chiropractic care creating an efficiently running nervous system,
  2. Accessible clean water and healthy food,
  3. The opportunity to have a superior education so that each person can reach their god given potential and create a healthier world tomorrow.

Our Purpose

Hands For Life is a non profit 501(c)3 that prides itself on looking for the “greater good” within each individual on God’s planet.  We understand there may be a divide that separates people based on culture, ethnicity, race, etc., and Hands For Life sees these difference’s as reasons to unite as one!  Just like a rainbow has different colors, those colors makes up its inherent beauty.  HFL sees the same inherent beauty within all people on our planet.   Our differences and individual  uniqueness’ make our world more exciting, more educational and more real.  Hands For Life is dedicated to creating a healthier world while honoring the differences amongst us.  We travel the globe to touch lives and educate  people about health.  Through chiropractic and a natural lifestyle, along with water, food and education, Hands For Life sees its role as a facilitator to unleash the God given potential residing within each person.  Sustainability, empowerment, better health and self sufficiency are what we leave behind after we touch so many.  Our goal is simple: to make sure every man, woman and child have a high functioning nerve system, enough food and water for great nutrition, and an education so they can read, write,  and have the basic skills so they can thrive and thus make a better contribution to the world.

Our Team

We’re a family of chiropractors serving to make the world a healthier, more connected place. Our team understands the disparity in healthcare across the globe. There are some communities with access to excellent chiropractic care. There are other groups of people who have no way of receiving the benefit of chiropractic care. Our team came together to try and shrink the gap between the “haves” and the “have not’s”.

Anna came to Hands For Life in 2015.  As an attorney, she loved the work she was doing, but knew there was a bigger purpose in her life.  When she learned about Hands For Life she was immediately attracted to the nonprofit world.  As our E.D., Anna is the glue that keeps our organization going.  She is diligent, understanding, thoughtful, compassionate, brilliant, and most of all loving.  With her legal background, strong work ethic, Italian passion and caring heart, Anna truly exemplifies what Hands For Life is all about, and we are lucky to have her driving our train. Oh, did we mention her desire to change the world into a more healthy, peaceful, loving place.  Yes, that’s Anna and a whole lot more!! Anna Savino, Esq.

Executive Director

Dr. Matthew Pennetti graduated from Life University in Atlanta, GA as a chiropractor. He currently practices with his wife, Dr. Lauren Pennetti. His passion is helping others live a more connected, natural life, without the use of drugs or surgery.  He has participated in mission work in El Salvador, Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Mexico. His knowledge, understanding, and passion to serve and educate those less fortunate is uncontested.  Dr. Matthew is in charge of our San Diego Mission.  This involves reaching out to communities in need and serving Hands for Life patients on a daily level through chiropractic. Matthew Pennetti, D.C.

Project Manager, San Diego

Amanda is a recent graduate of the Kinesiology program at Northern Arizona University. She is so eager to follow her passion in serving the community and helping others, that being a part of Hands for life was a natural fit. Amanda is currently the Executive Assistant working with Dr. Ron towards our mission of creating a better and healthier community and she has an energy and drive to do whatever she can to help get the word out about what an amazing thing our chiropractors are doing here at Hands for Life. Amanda Randolph

Hands for Life Executive Assistant

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dr. Mary is the co-founder of Hands for Life and an activist for women and children’s healthcare throughout the world. She has taken her gift of education and service through chiropractic to 5 continents and thousands of underserved people. Dr. Mary is also a co-founder of the League of Chiropractic Women and understands the health crisis that effects women and children worldwide. Her personal goal is to have natural healthcare through chiropractic available to every person on the planet, specifically women and children. During her travels, Dr. Mary has seen lifeless babies and toddlers regain their health in her hands, simply by restoring their neurological integrity through chiropractic care. She has worked tirelessly feeding the hungry, clothing the cold and sharing her love with all that she touches. Both she and her husband find themselves “called” to minister natural healthcare to the poor, sick and suffering, both at home and abroad. After raising three daughters, who have all followed in her footsteps to become chiropractors, she felt it was her job to teach her children the importance of giving back. At very young ages, her daughters would accompany her on health missions, soup kitchens, and anywhere else they could take care of the sick and less fortunate. Dr. Mary Oberstein exemplifies the mission and purpose of Hands For Life, and lives it on a daily level. Mary Oberstein, D.C.

President

Dr. Lauren Pennetti was born into a chiropractic family, being the oldest daughter of Drs. Ron and Mary Oberstein.  She attended Life University in Atlanta, GA where she met her husband, Dr. Matthew Pennetti.  Serving others and allowing their bodies to heal naturally is her favorite thing about chiropractic.  Dr. Lauren started chiropractic mission work at the age of 8, serving with her parents in Mexico, Peru, Europe, along with many other countries.  Her dedication to helping those less fortunate along with sharing the lifestyle of natural health care are always first and foremost in her mind.  Her work in Hands For Life is on the international level, directing our Mexico and India Mission Trips, as well as working with the less fortunate in San Diego. Lauren Pennetti, D.C.

Secretary/Treasurer

Dr. David is a chiropractor who practices in Ridgefield, CT. He has been in practice for over 30 years, serving the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. After starting practice in 1981, it became apparent that his calling was to serve the less fortunate. Spending his free time educating the people of his surrounding area, Dr. David became known as a “champion for health.”Besides Connecticut, Dr. Davis has practiced in Arizona and New York City, where he witnessed the humbling life of those less fortunate. His love of service has led him to help our organization achieve our goal in bringing chiropractic and sustainable health care to those most in need. Dr. David is a prolific writer and lecturer. He also understands the business and strategy of what it takes to serve those in need. Currently, besides private practice and helping to guide Hands For Life, Dr. David is writing a book on growing your heart and finding deeper love within oneself while caring for loved ones with dementia and/or Alzheimer’s disease. David Davis, D.C.

Board Member

When it comes to the word “service”, John’s name should be within the definition. Coming from a Midwestern family in Kansas and growing up on a farm, John learned from his early years that winning in life equals teamwork. As long as he can remember, John has always had a heart for taking care of others. Whether it was in church, at school or on the farm, John always felt the need to make sure people were taken care of. That nurturing persona has carried forward to his professional life. John is a human resources business partner at a successful Energy Company in San Diego. Being in H. R., John sees the trials and tribulations that affect people’s daily lives. He volunteers his time at local jails and prisons, having bible study with the inmates. He accompanies Hands For Life on missions to Mexico to take care of the sick and homeless. John truly has a passion for touching the lives of those most in need. John’s understanding of human nature and his ability to communicate the message of natural healthcare is unparalleled. Being a two time cancer survivor, John knows how precious life is, and wants to share his time, talent and treasures with others so they can lead healthy, productive and loving lives. Hands for Life is blessed to have someone of John’s integrity, compassion, and skill set serve on our board. John Durkes-Samaniego

Board Member

Wayne and his wife Carol are true missionaries. After feeling the call to service, they founded Voice of the Bride Ministries. Deeply convicted in his love for the Lord, Wayne saw his life unfold in a direction only divine intervention could make happen. 4 days a week, you can find Wayne delivering perishable foods to the barrios and border towns in Mexico and 6 days a week collecting food for the drop offs. Through his networks in San Diego, Wayne delivers nourishment and love to the hungry, sick, and orphaned. With his deep knowledge and understanding of the nonprofit world, Wayne helps navigate Hands For Life in service direction. His talent and understanding of the less fortunate, along with his tireless work ethic, makes Wayne’s attributes immeasurable to Hands For Life. Knowing the landscape and the culture of the underserved are Wayne’s gifts to our organization. His ministry leads missions and outreach programs that help provide the poor people of Tijuana with food and basic needs. His passion and dedication to the underserved is a guiding light for Hands for Life. Wayne Kiger-Rice

Board Member