by Daisy Hutzell-Rodman
Twenty-five years ago David and Peggy Sokol started what’s become one of the premier annual social events in Omaha, Neb.—and it directly benefits The Salvation Army. They were looking for a way to memorialize their son, D.J., who courageously fought cancer throughout his teenage years but lost the battle in the summer of 1999.
To honor D.J., who was a friend to many, a scholar, an athlete and young man of faith, the Sokols established an event that embodied his values of leadership and service. They became the driving force behind transforming the Be A Hero luncheon that hosted about 200 people each year into the D.J.’s Hero Awards, a scholarship program and luncheon honoring the achievements of Nebraska high school seniors who overcome adversity and show outstanding leadership in their communities. In recent years, the event has attracted more than 1,000 attendees annually.
The 25th Anniversary D.J.’s Hero Awards Luncheon this spring was attended by 1,100 people at CHI Health Center-Omaha. Major Scott Shelbourn, Western divisional commander, opened the event with remarks saluting the scholarship winners, donors and attendees. He then joined other dignitaries in presenting scholarships to 16 deserving high school seniors, whose compelling stories range from refugees from war-torn countries who have become honors students to teenagers who, like D.J., have shown resilience and positivity in the face of life-threatening medical conditions.
Over the lifetime of the event, The Salvation Army in Omaha has—thanks to the Sokols’ largesse—awarded 222 scholarships to heroic young people who have gone on to attend college and have successful careers.
At the 25th anniversary event, David Sokol interviewed six “Hero Alumni,” past scholarship winners who are leading extraordinary lives: Stanford University graduate Veronica Alonso, Google employee Jay Beermann, founding member of the organization “Schuyler is Home” Viridiana Duran, business owner Rosio Granados, lawyer and author Janae Pounds-Hofer, and award-winning photographer Nia Karmann.
Since its inception, the D.J.’s Hero Awards Luncheon has raised more than $4.4 million for Omaha-area Salvation Army youth programs; that’s in addition to more than $2.2 million in scholarship support! To thank and honor the couple who started it all, National Commander Commissioner Kenneth G. Hodder presented the Sokols with the organization’s prestigious Evangeline Booth Award. It honors exceptional individuals, corporations and organizations who “reflect the spirit, commitment and innovative vision of Evangeline Booth.”
In his remarks, Commissioner Hodder aptly summarized the enormous gift the Sokols have bestowed on The Salvation Army, saying, “You have made a permanent impression. You have transformed futures. You have changed communities. You have strengthened families. What you have done will always be honored. And we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”
