Denver Broncos Legend John Elway Helps The Salvation Army Raise a Record $584,000 at the 20th Annual D.J.’s Hero Award Luncheon
Omaha, NE – (May 27th, 2018) – This year’s annual D.J.’s Hero Award Luncheon, sponsored by The Salvation Army, set a new record with $584,000 raised. The luncheon is named after D.J. Sokol, who was a die-hard Creighton Basketball fan and an inspiration to everyone who knew him. D.J. died from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the young age of 18. Since then, his parents David and Peggy partnered up with The Salvation Army to award college scholarships to high schoolers from all across the state of Nebraska. These high schoolers are chosen based on their ability to preserve through adversity while maintaining a high grade point average.
Ten Nebraskan high schoolers were awarded academic scholarships worth $10,000. These students were: Haiden Kreber, Dali O’Neill, Garrett Long, Aleasha Potratz, Stephanie Perez Bolanos, Kyla Wallinger, Amanya Pavelka, Hope Weber, Martyna Holthus, and Abdinur Muqtar. These high schoolers were praised by Hall of Fame quarterback, John Elway, in his speech after their stories were told. Elway also generously donated his speaking fee to The Salvation Army in order to raise more money for D.J.’s Hero Awards.
After Elway spoke with Rob McCartney and Julie Cornell, a special surprise guest was brought out to auction off signed footballs. The crowd stood and clapped as Scott Frost walked out from behind the stage where Elway was speaking. Frost auctioned off the footballs that were signed by himself,
Elway, and Coach Osborne. One of the footballs was bought by Zach Wiegert, a former Outland Trophy winner and the captain of the 1994 National Championship Huskers team.
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