The Sam Hanna
Ambassador of the Year
Ambassador
of the Year
Past Winners
Evan Lober (Squatch Creative)
2020 Delaware KIDS Fund Co-Ambassador of the Year
The Delaware KIDS Fund made a surprise announcement during a Zoom meeting where New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer awarded Evan Lober a 2020 Delaware KIDS Fund Co-Ambassador of the Year Award. Evan, a KIDS volunteer since 2011, was recognized for donating hours of production, filming, & design for the virtual edition of Operation Warm Newport. Additionally, Evan has camped out every year since the inception of Operation Warm Newport (4x).
Danielle Scull (Assurance Media)
2020 Delaware KIDS Fund Co-Ambassador of the Year
The Delaware KIDS Fund made a surprise announcement during a Zoom meeting where New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer awarded Danielle Scull a 2020 Delaware KIDS Fund Co-Ambassador of the Year Award. Danielle, a KIDS volunteer since 2015, reached out to get more involved with Operation Warm planning in 2019. After hearing the general plan for our first-ever virtual event, she immediately suggested donating a large touch screen computer. Danielle coordinated supplies, training, and delivery making this touch screen a key component for engaging campers from home. Danielle was also responsible for crowdfunding over $1,000 toward coats for KIDS!
Dave Tiberi
2018 Delaware KIDS Fund Ambassador of the Year
The Delaware KIDS Fund made a surprise announcement at March’s Delaware Decision Makers Meeting by awarding Dave (“The Champ”) Tiberi the 2018 Delaware KIDS Fund Ambassador of the Year Award. Presented by Thomas Hanna, Dave was recognized for his contributions of time, energy and commitment to community for the Delaware KIDS Fund. In 2018, Dave camped out at The Delaware KIDS Fund Operation Warm Newport Camping out for Coats and single handedly helped raise over $4,000 during the annual coat drive campaign. Ultimately, the annual coat drive raised enough money to provide coats for over 2,000 students and four local schools.
Karl Richeson (Karl Richeson Photography)
2017 Delaware KIDS Fund Ambassador of the Year
Karl has supported the Delaware KIDS Fund since 2011 and has donated his photography services for almost every single Delaware KIDS Fund Fundraising Event. The Delaware KIDS Fund rarely asked him for anything because Karl would always volunteer his services the moment he learned about an event opportunity. Karl has also financially supported the fund on an annual basis. Karl was acknowledged and awarded (by surprise) at the 9th Annual Delaware KIDS Fund 5K in Newport.
Rachel Lindeman (M&T Bank)
2016 Delaware KIDS Fund Co-Ambassadors of the Year
Rachel has proudly served as a longtime supporter of the Delaware KIDS Fund and has played a critical role in M&T Bank’s sponsorship involvement for the Delaware KIDS Fund 5K Series. Rachel has helped secure races sponsorship for The Delaware KIDS Fund 5K Series since 2011 and has rallied the M&T team’s participation at both events. Rachel was acknowledged and awarded her 2016 Ambassador of the Year trophy at the KIDS Fund 5K in Newport.
Vince DiFonzo (TKo Hospitality)
2016 Delaware KIDS Fund Co-Ambassadors of the Year
Vince is one of the KIDS Fund’s most loyal supporters and has played a pivotal role in getting fellow employees and TKo Hospitality managed hotels involved with the KIDS Fund mission. In 2015 & 2016, Vince led a companywide fundraising campaign at the Hyatt Place Dewey Hotel to help raise funds towards The KIDS Fund year-end holiday appeal. Vince and his team also have supported the first two 5K’s by hosting the official after party for at Que Pasa and The Cove (all volunteer staff and donated food) – and what many on the 5K circuit believe to be one of the best post-race parties at the beach!
Kevin Thomas
2015 Delaware KIDS Fund Ambassador of the Year
Kevin Thomas has always been a loyal supporter of the Delaware KIDS Fund and in 2015 Kevin went above and beyond by spearheading various fundraising initiatives for the KIDS Fund. He is a longstanding volunteer for the annual 5K as well as a corporate sponsor for the event. Kevin created two fundraising events one being tied into pop culture classic, Back to the Future by having the KIDS Fund as the beneficiary for Newark’s Back to the Future Day. Click here for story. Kevin also created an on-line raffle campaign which awarded the grand prize winner 2 tickets to the premier of the Star Wars 7 – Episode 7, limo transportation and a concessions voucher for the grand prize winner. All money raised from the raffle went to the Delaware KIDS Fund. In 2015, Kevin was responsible for over $1,500 in donations for our Delaware KIDS in need!
Lucien Mckean
2014 Delaware KIDS Fund Ambassador of The Year
Lucien McKean (also our 2011 Ambassador of the Year) helped support the Delaware KIDS Fund by personally collecting over $2,000 as a part of his annual fundraiser to help support the Delaware KIDS Fund Annual Appeal. Lucien has been raising money for the Delaware KIDS Fund since he was in the 4th grade and overall has helped raise $6,500 since 2010 . Lucien is a model citizen and sure to be a future leader in our community!
Claire Dignazio, Siena Sysko, Olivia Langlois, Shazi Jadali
Tower Hill School
2013 Delaware KIDS Fund Ambassador(s) of the Year
Four bright young minds from the Tower Hill School supported the Delaware KIDS Fund through a school project in 2013. Claire Dignazio, Siena Sysko, Oliva Langlois and Shazi Jadali collected school supplies, clothes and food for underprivileged youth in Wilmington. Because of their hard work and support, the DKF was able to provide for 20 families in need through the Urban Promise School. The four students from Tower Hill developed a fundraising campaign, promoted it within their school and community and made a power point presentation to the DKF to highlight their accomplishments as well as summarize their mission.
MySherpa
2012 Delaware KIDS Fund Ambassador of the Year
The team at MySherpa went above and beyond in 2012 for the Delaware KIDS Fund. MySherpa played an key role in the overall success for two of the KIDS Fund premier events in 2012 with the 3rd Annual KIDS Fund 5K and 5th Annual DE KIDS Fund Holiday Food Drive. From sponsorship dollars to marketing the event, to encouraging over 80 participants to join the 2nd and 3rd annual 5K (combined), they have evolved into a key partner in the community. Thank you MySherpa for all YOU do for our local KIDS in need!
Lucien Mckean
2011 Delaware KIDS Fund Ambassador of The Year
Lucien Mckean, a loyal supporter of the Delaware KIDS Fund, collected $553 to be put towards the Delaware KIDS Fund Holiday Food Drive, held on December 14, 2011. Because of Lucien’s efforts, he was able to give 553 kids 1,659 meals. Thank you Lucien for all you do in our community!