HONORARY SCOUT… Kenna Wagner accepts a basket of Band-Aids donated by Pack 13 Cub Scouts Sawyer Rademacher and Landen Nickloy.
November 19, 2011, was a very sad day for 12 year-old Kenna Wagner. That was the day her best friend Tiana Bishop lost her battle with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer. Though she still mourns the loss of her dear friend, Kenna chose to remember her in a positive way. She heard about another girl who collected fun Band-Aids for children who are in the hospital, so she decided to do the same thing in honor of her friend. Her goal is to collect 1000 boxes of cute, fun Band-Aids to donate to Toledo Children’s Hospital, where Tiana spent so much of the last year of her short life, and to the children’s ward of Mercy St.Vincent’s Hospital. Kenna believes that the Band-Aids will bring a smile and a little bit of brightness to children after they receive painful shots.
On the first anniversary of Tiana’s death, Kenna and her mother Stacy Wagner of Defiance drove to Pioneer to attend Pioneer Cub Scout Pack 13’s meeting to accept a donation of 85 boxes of Band-Aids. The Pack made her an honorary member for the evening. This was in conjunction with the Pack’s celebration of exceeding their popcorn sales goals this year. She was invited to join in as the group ate pizza, got temporary airbrushed tattoos, and threw whipped cream pies at Scoutmaster Cory Rademacher. Her mother described the experience in a Facebook post as “…such a heartwarming night!”
The Pack not only met their goal of $12,000 in popcorn sales, but sold $55 beyond. The Scouts received prizes for their sales effort. Each year, Rademacher lets the Scouts watch as he falls victim to acts such as having his hair dyed in multi-colors, or having his head shaved. This year, Rademacher had the Boy Scout’s Fleur-de-Lis airbrushed over his entire face. This will last up to three weeks. He then received several whipped cream pies to the face from the Scouts who met a goal of at least $700 in individual popcorn sales. Though Kenna chose not to participate in the pie throwing, she enjoyed watching the boys, who seemed to be having a rip-roaring fun time.
Kenna’s mother set up a Facebook page for those who would like to learn about her Band-Aid drive at https://www.facebook.com/events/460990163944247/ Boxes can be mailed to:
Fun Band-Aid Drive
c/o NW Real Estate
PO Box 156
Defiance, OH 43512
Those wishing to send monetary donations can make checks out to Kenna Wagner
The following locations are accepting donations:
NW Real Estate
1940 E. Second St.
Defiance, OH 43512
Razorz Edge Hair Salon
639 Holgate Avenue
Defiance, OH 43512
Just Teasing Hair Salon
412 Fifth Street
Defiance, OH 43512
Donations will be accepted through February 1, 2013. She will be taking the Band-Aids to the hospitals on Valentine’s Day.