Deb Hedinger

She’s hooked on helping kids

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In September, Deb Hedinger takes a weeklong vacation. But she still goes to her workplace, University Hospitals, every day that week.

That’s because Hedinger helps coordinate the KHAK 98.1-FM Radiothon to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network.

Hedinger and Barb Lee, president of the CMN volunteer committee, run the event together, keeping the radio talent motivated and the entire program organized.

But it’s more than just a fundraiser to Hedinger. It’s also a yearly get together for the volunteers and children from the Children’s Miracle Network at the Children’s Hospital of Iowa.

“It’s like family week. It’s like going home to visit family,” she said.
Days usually start about 6 a.m., going on air until 10 a.m. Then there is a four-hour period to gather their thoughts and rest their feet, going back on air from 2 to 6 p.m.

“It’s three-and-a-half days of just go,” she said.

Hedinger said she first got involved with the Children’s Miracle Network after observing other volunteer committee members.

“They always seemed like they were having fun,” she said.

Over the years, she has participated in multiple Children’s Miracle Network fundraisers, but she finally found her niche with the KHAK Radiothon.

“Children’s Miracle Network is kind of my passion,” she said. “It’s hard to see those kids in pain and what they’ve gone through. They’re pretty tough little people.”

When she started with the radiothon, she would just take a couple days off. But one year when Lee was unable to be there the entire time one year, Hedinger covered for her.

“Now I’m hooked to the whole week thing,” she said. “We’re punchy by the end of the week, but we really have a good time.”

But her volunteer efforts don’t stop there. She also spends every Friday during her lunch hour in the hospital’s Rooftop Café and time in the Patients’ Library on the weekends.

“I am in front of a computer all day. It’s my chance, at least once a week, to get out and see some people,” she said. “It’s my social life.”

— Rachel Gallegos