See the best of the best in Central Iowa as voted on by YOU in the Des Moines’ People’s Choice!
STAR 102.5’s Combat Hunger, presented by Community Choice Credit Union, works to help the Food Bank of Iowa provide meals for Iowans in need. Over the years, Combat Hunger has provided millions of meals through food drives all across Central Iowa.
VIDEO: Tawinee explains the difference between the Food Bank of Iowa and your local food pantry.
With the 34th Annual Combat Hunger, donations were collected online, at the STAR 102.5 studio, at Community Choice Credit Union, and at the Food Bank of Iowa, where STAR 102.5’s Ken and Tawinee, Jimmy Wright, and Karess Carter hosted a 12-hour broadcast.
The 39th Annual Combat Hunger brought in $12,190 in cash donations online and collected 638 pounds of food.
When Waukee Northwest High School football coach Corey Kopatich mentioned in a TV interview that he doesn’t know the music his players listen to at practice and that he’d rather listen to some ’80s music, 93.3 KIOA’s Luke & Jeriney knew they had been called upon.
The KIOA morning team talked on air, then posted to their social media accounts for anyone that knew how to get them in touch with Coach Kopatich to reach out. Within hours, text messages began to be exchanged and a plan was put into action – Luke & Jeriney would be coming to not just a practice, but the team’s annual “Meet the Wolves” night at Northwest High School’s stadium.
On August 22, Luke & Jeriney were warmly welcomed by the entire Waukee Northwest athletics staff and Northwest Football Parent Representatives. Luke & Jeriney not only got to play the ’80s tunes that Coach had requested, but they also got to emcee the evening’s activities, including scrimmages from all three grade levels of teams, player introductions, and introductions and routines from the school’s dance and cheer squads.
“What started as a silly radio segment turned into something really fun and special,” said Luke Matthews. “We never imagined it’d become what it did, but the staff at NWHS couldn’t have been kinder.”
While Luke did his best to not mispronounce names, Jeriney hobnobbed with Westy, the Wolves roaming mascot as well as Bohdi, the official living, breathing mascot!
“I left Luke in the booth and went looking for the mascots,” Jeriney smirked. “I love ’em, especially one as cute as Bohdi!”
The evening’s fun even brought a return trip by KCCI-TV, who did a follow-up story about the morning duo being asked to play music for Coach Kopatich and his staff. Watch the story now.
Listen to Luke & Jeriney weekday mornings, 5:30-10:00am on 93.3 KIOA.
Listen to the stories of people who deserve a Christmas Wish to help make this holiday season a little brighter.
Presented by NCMIC – We Take Care of Our Own.
Listen to the wishes:
- Wish 1 | From Boone, Cheryl’s friend and hard-working co-worker, Beth, is dealing with a recent cancer diagnosis but is still trying to continue to help others, as she’s always done. Cheryl wants to ensure a Christmas can still be magical for her friend Beth.
- Wish 2 | Her daughter has had to deal with far too many health problems for a child to endure, and now her mom wants to make sure she has something special that she can call her own.
- Wish 3 | A daughter wants to thank her mom for a lifetime of love and support, especially during this difficult time.
- Wish 4 | Hear a Christmas Wish for a woman who has brought so much joy to others through her sewing machine.
- Wish 5 | Hear a Christmas Wish for a woman who helps so many foster kids and wants to ensure that all the trips the kids make are as enjoyable as possible.
- Wish 6 | Hear a Christmas Wish for a mom who’s making sure every moment counts and every memory is special.
- Wish 7 | A 7-year-old boy has faced far too many hardships, but with this Christmas Wish, maybe some of his dreams can come true.
- Wish 8 | Hear a Christmas Wish for the hard-working staff at Orchard Place.