KDWB Grants ISD 917 Wishes

KDWB Grants ISD 917 Wishes
Posted on 12/16/2022
Erin Mahnke at KDWB

While our ISD 917 Core Values are on display every day throughout the district, the 2022 winter holiday season is shining a bright light on the empathy of the ISD 917 community.  In the past two weeks, THREE nominees put forward by ISD 917 staff members have been selected to receive the KDWB Christmas Wish to support them in their time of need.  

 

For the past 30 years, KDWB has asked people to nominate deserving individuals or families to receive amazing gifts and support. Chosen recipients are surprised with personalized gifts and a phone call from KDWB and the person who nominated them. 

 

KDWB Christmas Wish #6, on 12/5/22, featured the nominee of Ashley DePover, Program Assistant at Concord Education Center.  Ashley nominated her brother-in-law, sister, and their twin 11-year-olds who have all been struggling since a hit-and-run incident left Ben with a variety of medical challenges that dramatically changed the family’s life.  To support them in their time of need, their gifts included a mountain-bike, sports jerseys (including the Nigerian soccer team honoring Ben’s native country), games, toys, and gift cards for food, gas, games, and other needs.  Holiday Gas provided free gas for a year, and TGK Auto and AutoZone fixed the heat and numerous other issues with the family vehicle. 

 

KDWB Christmas Wish #7, on 12/6/22, featured the nominee of Erin Mahnke, ISD 917 Secondary Schools Dean.  Erin nominated her former student and DCALS graduate, Jasmine Hanson, who recently lost her partner, Arthur, in a car crash.  Erin wanted to do something nice for Jasmine and her family during their first holiday season without Arthur, and KDWB responded with generous gifts to support their basic needs (diapers, clothes, blankets, gift cards for groceries, restaurants, clothes, and gas) and bring them joy (a tree with ornaments, spa gift card, toys, and sleds).  

 

KDWB Christmas Wish #13, on 12/15/22, featured special education teachers from ISD 917 as both the nominator and the nominee.  Shereen Bond nominated Katie Collins who she has worked with at Alliance Education Center for about 10 years.  Katie has three children, and her youngest son, 12-year-old Parker, was recently diagnosed with cancer.  For the past few months, the entire family has been involved in the medical journey they have been on to fight the cancer, including 26 nights in the hospital this fall, ongoing chemotherapy, and a feeding tube.   To support the entire family, including Parker’s older sisters, Mac and Sam, KDWB provided gifts for the girls, a stay at Treasure Island for the family,  and gift cards for gas, groceries, auto services, restaurants, and anything else they need.  Parker loves sports, so KDWB also provided sports-related memorabilia, games, and gift cards for fun activities when he feels up to it. In thanking Shereen for her thoughtfulness, Katie described her as “kind, sweet… and a wonderful teacher and great with her students.”

 

Thank you to the incredible staff members who nominated recipients and to KDWB and their partners and donors!  Our hearts go out to all those in need, and we are here to support you.  At ISD 917, we belong to each other and no one is invisible.

 

Hear their stories at:

 https://www.iheart.com/podcast/467-dave-ryans-christmas-wish-30301586/

#6 - Ben Agada (nominated by Ashley DePover)

#7 - Jasmine Hanson (nominated by Erin Mahnke)

#13 - Katie Collins (nominated by Shereen Bond)

 

Learn more about this program or donate funds at:

https://kdwb.iheart.com/featured/dave-ryan-s-christmas-wish/