The Salvation Army Western Divisional Headquarters 10755 Burt Street Omaha, NE 68114 salarmyomaha.org
A Chronicle for Leadership Donors
Vol. 2, No. 2 Summer 2017
D.J.’s Hero Awards Luncheon Raises Record-Breaking $500,000 to Support Youth Programs Building Hope
Campaign Leadership Carl Mammel
Honorary Co-Chair Back row, from left to right: Major Greg Thompson, scholarship recipients Pah Bwai and Michaela Dehart, Major Lee Ann Thompson, event co-chairs Paula and James Blackledge, and scholarship recipient Tyler Paul. Front row, from left to right: scholarship recipients Mashaya Dierking, Tayler Klassen, Nyabeel Chut, Tanner Stalsberg, and Fayth Jackson
This year, thanks to the support of Mutual of Omaha and the generosity of David and Peggy Sokol and many others, The Salvation Army raised a record $500,000 at the D.J.’s Hero Awards Luncheon, which was attended by 1,100 community and corporate leaders on May 9 at the CenturyLink Center Omaha. The funds raised support eight $10,000 scholarships and The Salvation Army’s youth programs. Over the last 19 years, the event honoring D.J. Sokol, who died in 1999 at age 18, has raised more than $6.2 million. “D.J. often focused his energy toward looking out for the less popular or challenged young men or women he encountered,” remembered his father, David Sokol. “He taught us to look out for those who do not have a voice, which is why it was a natural fit for our family to become involved with The Salvation Army
through the D.J.’s Hero scholarship and recognition program.” “The too-short life of a remarkable young man inspired his family to carry on his selfless commitment to helping others through this wonderful scholarship program,” said Joleen David, The Salvation Army Omaha Advisory Board Chair. “I am privileged to join The Salvation Army in celebrating the scholarship recipients’ courage, resilience, and devotion, and to witness their inspirational stories.” This year’s D.J.’s Hero scholarship winners are: Pah Bwai of Omaha, Nyabeel Chut of Omaha, Michaela Dehart of Scotia, Mashaya Dierking of Davenport, Fayth Jackson of Lincoln, Tayler Klassen of Hampton, Tyler Paul of Papillion, and Tanner Stalsberg of Milford. Continued on page 8
Gene Spence
Honorary Co-Chair
Jim Landen
Honorary Co-Chair
Steve Martin General Chair
Mike Cassling Co-Chair
Campaign Executive Team Bennett Ginsberg Fred Hunzeker Steve Seline Nick Taylor 1