ASHLAND — Some heroes wear capes. Some hold lemonade cups. This was one of those moments that reminds you just how powerful a young heart can be.
Khloe Okland was honored by Modern Woodmen of America and presented with their Hometown Hero Award by Lauren Stalnaker, local Modern Woodmen Financial Advisor and Chapter Activities Coordinator.
Khloe is a young girl bravely battling cancer. While she has every reason to focus on her own fight, she chose to spend a part of her summer thinking about others.
She set up a lemonade stand, but she wasn’t just selling lemonade. She was raising money to give back to the Ashland County Cancer Association-an organization that helps and supports individuals battling cancer, as well as their families.
That kind of compassion is truly inspiring and that kind of courage can’t be measured. That kind of heart deserves to be celebrated.
“Today wasn’t just about presenting an award,” Stalnaker said. “It was about reminding someone that we see their courage, their thoughtfulness and their kindness, even during the toughest of times.
“It’s about showing someone appreciation for truly making a difference and making an impact.”
As part of the Hometown Hero Program, Stalnaker surprised Khloe at Ashland County Cancer Association with help from Angela Woodward, who is the executive director for the cancer association.
She was presented with a plague, certificate and $100 to be donated to the charitable organization of her choice. In this case, Khloe chose to give the award to the Ashland County Cancer Association.
“Having personally experienced the heartbreak of losing loved ones to cancer, I know first-hand how deeply this disease impacts not just the person fighting it, but their entire family,” Stalnaker said. “The Cancer Association makes a huge impact for those people and their families.
“After I learned of Khloe’s story, I knew she was a hero.”
Coordinated by local Modern Woodmen members, the fraternal financial services organization’s Summit chapters, chapters and youth service clubs provide opportunities for members to take part in social and educational activities and volunteer projects to meet local needs.
For more information or to get involved, contact Stalnaker at Lauren.D.Stalnaker@mwarep.org.
About Modern Woodmen of America
As a tax-exempt fraternal benefit society, Modern Woodmen sells life insurance, annuity and investment products not to benefit stockholders but to improve quality of life for its members, their families and their communities.
This is accomplished through social, charitable and volunteer activities. Annually, Modern Woodmen and its members provide nearly $20 million and over 400,000 volunteer hours for community projects nationwide.