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Earlier this week the Z88.3 morning show producer called Marie and asked her to come to the radio station on Friday, September 14, 2007 but did not give her a specific reason why she needed to be there. While on the air, Marie was completely taken back when the morning DJs, Scott and Tyler, announced that Z88.3 was giving Nathaniel's Hope a $1,000 grant! WFTV Channel 9 Family Connection gave each of their radio stations, of which Z88.3 is one, $1,000 to give to the charity of their choice as part of the “I Am the One” series. Z88.3 chose to bless Nathaniel's Hope.
The wonderful irony is that earlier this summer (August 14 at 8 p.m. to be exact) one of our own VIP families was interviewed as a part of that same series. Here is the VIP mom Kimberly's recollection of being introduced to Nathaniel's Hope and how her family is connected now:
"When we were 19/20 weeks pregnant with Caden, we found out he would have Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome). God blessed us, through our local Christian radio station, Z88.3, with Nathaniel's Hope, a Christian organization which makes it their mission to share "The Hope" of Christ while serving all people with exceptionalities and their families. We went to our first Nathaniel's Hope Make 'm Smile as "buddies" since Caden was not yet able to be a VIP outside the womb! For the buddy walk, we were paired up with a VIP family with an inspiring young lady named Dana. She was born with Trisomy 21, and at the age of 9, she put her hands on my belly, kissed it and said a prayer for Caden."
"At this year's Nathaniel's Hope Make 'm Smile, we had the opportunity to meet up with her and, she, now 12, was quite excited to meet Caden! I still wonder what she prayed for - I bet it was much more profound than many of the prayers I've said."
"After that first year, we walked as VIPs to celebrate Caden's life. I have had the priveledge of getting to know the Kuck family, the founders of Nathaniel's Hope, and I have been encouraged by their faith and devotion to a population that might not have been seen as Very Important People."
"This year, at the request of Marie Kuck, our family was interviewed during the buddy walk by Channel 9's reporter, Martie Salt. The program aired as part of the 'I am the One' series. If you happened to catch it, know that Caden wasn't the happiest camper at the time of the interview, and Trevor... OK, I, babbled a bit. Plus, remember - we gain a few pounds on camera!"
Last December, Kimberly called the Nathaniel's Hope office looking for a way to become more involved. She ended up heading up a group of volunteers to create a hand-crafted ornament that could be given out during the Nathaniel's Hope Caroling for Kids program. (For more information on Caroling for Kids, click here.)
At Nathaniel's Hope we are priviledged to be connected with Z88.3, WFTV Channel 9, Dana (the girl that prayed for Caden) and her family, AND Kimberly, Trevor, and Caden!
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