#SPARKWONDER 2020
SIP. Quaranteens. Social distancing. During these unprecedented times, we have all learned new vocabulary. While some words are meant to bring humor into the darkness, others are shedding light on just how much has changed since the start of the year. Words like school closure, non-essential, PPE, and density. While all of this impacts our community as a whole, vulnerable populations – like our neighbors at the 49ers Academy in East Palo Alto – are facing risks that are not just life-limiting but life-threatening.
But there is hope. Altruism. Empathy. Community. Light. And most of all – optimism that tomorrow will be better and that together we are stronger. Neighbors helping neighbors.
The Wender Weis Foundation for Children asked our community of athletes and celebrities to share moments that were reminding them of the JOY and WONDER that exists even in moments of darkness. We asked them – how do you #SPARKWONDER and stay active while sheltering in place? How do you laugh? Smile? De-stress?
Our community of champions – Steve Young, Brandi Chastain, Michael + Sara Franti, Alex Morgan, Jennifer Azzi, Hunter + Alexis Pence, AnnaLynne McCord, Stanford athletes, Liam Mayclem, Dennis Brown, SF Fire Captain Erica Arteseros Brown and more – enthusiastically responded.
We invite you to take a deep breath, shake off the weight of the week and enjoy the light, optimism and FUN of the Wender Weis Foundation for Children #SparkWonder video and to join us in supporting the 49ers Academy COVID-19 Emergency Assistance Fund by visiting THIS LINK.
On behalf of the Wender Weis Foundation for Children – thank you! Today, tomorrow, and always.
Please Consider Making A Donation
- A $25 donation provides masks for the child nutrition team to use during food distributions
- A $50 donation covers one month of crucial utilities for a family in need
- A $100 donation provides groceries for a family for one week
- A $250 donation provides a wifi-enabled tablet to a student to support distance learning
- A $500 donation provides emergency child care to support essential workers
- A $1000 donation provides a safety net for a family on the verge of homelessness
SparkWonder Heroes (a partial list of our supporters)
Sandra & Harry Cheung
Katie Colendich
Emilie & Andrew Lynch
Maryam & Chris Neil
Nicole & Charles Taylor
Justin Bass
Dana & Charles Carmel
Ashley & John Chambers
Kate & Eric Dachs
Susan Solinsky & Paul Duryea
Wendy Dyckerhoff
Patty Rock & John Fetzer
Nadia & Max Gazor
Michelle Gilman Jasen
Jessica & J Hickingbotham
Melanie & Riaz Ladhabhoy
Meredith & John Meeks
Olivia Neil
Joanne Pasternack
Tamara Russel & Steve Wastie
Christy Weinstein
Special thanks to
Atomic Video
Kira Bardin
Reid Bardin
Justin Bass
Sam Benavidez
Frankie Solinsky Duryea
Brad Engel
Didi Engel
Vern Glenn
Nathan Hoch
Patty Hubbard
Kathy Jacobson
Michelle Gilman Jasen
Isaac Katz
Camille Kennedy
Bardia Neil
Maryam Neil
Kelley O’Brien
Joanne Pasternack
Lionel Shaw
Adrienne Smith
Susan Solinsky
Marssie Versola
Betsy Vobach
A huge thank you to our #SparkWonder Stars for their participation in the project (in order of appearance):
Michael, Sara + Taj Franti | @michaelfranti @saraagahfranti
Steve Young + kids | @foreveryoungfoundation
Vern Glenn + Zack + Jake | @vernglenn
Lauren + Mat Stephens | @teamtibco_siliconvalleybank
John Tait + kids | @nflalumni
Chasson Randle | @cha2_05
Steven Beitashour + Brayden | @sbeita33
Eric Heitmann + Evelyn + Eleanor | @eheitmann
Robbie Gould + kids | @robbiegould09
Natalie Coughlin | @nataliecoughlin
Amobi Okugo | @amobisays
Jennifer Azzi + Macklin + Ella | @jenniferlazzi
Shawn Estes + kids | @shestes55
Brighid Wood | @brighidwood
Charlie Ekstrom | @charlie.ekstrom
Nigel Hayes | @nigel_hayes
Owen + Jake Taylor | @stanfordmwp
Franco Finn + Coco | @francofinn
Jeremy Affeldt + kids | @jeremyaffeldt
Ricky Watters Jr | @rickywattersjr
Ricky Watters Sr + Shane | @rickywattersofficial
Sharon + Patrick Kelleher | @bawsi
Patrick Willis | @thewhinkersmind
Khari Stephenson | @kharilasana
DiAndre Campbell | @campbellboydre
AnnaLynne McCord | @theannalynnemccord
Brandi Chastain + Rae | @brandichastain
Torrey + Chanel Smith | @torreysmithwr
Chanel + Katelynn, TJ + Kam | @chanelsmith_22
Maddie Dailey + friends | @m.addie.d
Damian Jones | @dameology
Alex “The Rhino” Boone + Johnny | @therhino75
Alex Morgan | @alexmorgan13
Champ + Joc Pederson | @yungjoc650, @champ_pederson
Dennis + Erica Brown | @dennist.brown, @eca_sf
Michael Lahoud + Lara Fischer | @mikelahoud
Tajay Ashmeade | @sixfootsports
Liam Mayclem | @liammayclem
Hunter + Lexi Pence | @hunterpence, @letsgetlexi
And a special WWFC thank you to our behind-the-scenes production team heroes:
Atomic Productions | @atomicproductionsinc
Joanne Pasternack | @joannepasternack
Reid Bardin + Kira Bardin | @reid_soccer, @fencingkk
Justin Bass | @jhbass
Sam Benavidez | @delasam
Didi Engel | @deeds2944
John + Nathan Hoch | @wenderweis, @nathanhoch16
Patty Hubbard | @pattyhubbard10
Kathy Jacobson | @kathyjacobson
Michelle Gilman Jasen | @michellegilmanjasen
Camille Kennedy | @camillegkennedy
April Marriner | @aprilmarriner
Kelley O’Brien | @kob_events
TIBCO Software | @tibco_software
A HUGE THANK YOU to Ravenswood City Superintendent Gina Sudaria (+ son Elijah) | @ravenswood_we.got.this | and
49ers Academy | @49ersAcademy | Executive Director Michele Sharkey | @michelemsharkey | and their teams
for being superstars in the community, supporting the families in East Palo Alto every day of the year – YOU #SPARKWONDER !
Amy Wender, Founder | Wender Weis Foundation for Children | @awenderhoch | @wenderweis