9-year-old organizes classmates to make cards for warriors.
In April a group of exceptional warriors spending the night at Angel House on Grand Lake during a bow fishing event were greeted with a surprise.
Nine-year-old Izzy Mariconda, who will be a fourth grade student at Prairie Vale in the Deer Creek School District, decided she wanted to do something for the former servicemen staying at their house on Grand Lake.
“Izzy started organizing her class at school to make cards for the warriors staying at our house,” said her mother Holly. Her father is Paul Mariconda.
“Izzy wanted to do something to tell the warriors thanks and let them know how much she appreciates their service. She talked to her art teacher Denise Austin and her guidance teacher Hillary Underwood about making it a class project.”
Cassie Pierce’s 4th grade class at Prairie Vale made all the cards. They made so many cards in fact that cards were taken to other gatherings and shared with other servicemen.
“Every event we do is different,” said Ronny Sweger, founder of The Foundation for Exceptional Warriors (FEW).
Sweger said normally he plans events for the warriors, but seldom attends them.
“In the past we have had things like this happen, and it was a surprise for me because I wasn’t supposed to be there,” Sweger said.
Talk about a shock and awe moment, Sweger added.
“For a 9-year-old to rally a classroom and other teachers is heartwarming. Whatever Izzy’s parents are doing they are doing a terrific job,” Sweger said.
“It was a gift to me to see the cards, and I needed it for my soul. It was nothing to drive 5 1/2 hours to meet Izzy.”
Sweger presented Izzy with a hand carved duck decoy made by a member of an Air Force Operations member who gave it to FEW to give it to someone who went above and beyond.
“We were privileged to have it and we were privileged to give it to Izzy,” Sweger added. “The Lord works in mysterious ways, and He is always working. Ironically the family had a collection of ducks in their cabin.”
A combination of 10 warriors who fought in various conflicts were in attendance.
“The family donated their cabin free and clear and donated half of the food,” Sweger said. “The outpouring of that family was just amazing.”
Chris Wolfenbarger a board member of the FEW and Brad Davis with TNT Archery in Coweta have been sharing wonderful stories of how the cards have been helping the warriors, Izzy’s mother said.
“Izzy is already forming a plan for helping out next year,” Holly added.