John has been involved extensively in the communities that he has lived in. This involvement comes in a variety of ways; art visits and workshops at the schools, murals painted at hospitals, murals painted at the local YMCA, sign painting for Habitat for Humanity. John has also donated many pieces of art for local fundraisers. The biggest community effort John was/is involved in was the making of the Missoula carousel. This commitment started in 1989 and continues to the present time. This is also when John started carving. John was the artist for the carousel. He designed the ponies to be carved. He designed and carved the nine foot dragon which became the brass ring machine for the carousel. John also designed and painted all the panels in the center of the carousel. John continues to design and carve at the carousel with a group of carvers. Animals are carved as a gift for other communities that are trying to build their own carousel.