Morning Drive: Hawkeye In The Morning Hosts Radiothon
Annual 96.3 KSCS event benefits Cook Children’s
He’s the host of DFW’s longest running morning show on the FM dial, but one day remains like no other for Mark “Hawkeye” Louis.
Since 2014, New Country 96.3 KSCS broadcasts live from Cook Children’s, commercial-free for an entire day, asking loyal listers for generous donations to help families and children affected by illness and injury.
The KSCS Cook Children’s Third Annual Radiothon takes place from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016, at the medical center. To donate, call 855-COOK-GIVE (855-266-5448).
Louis begins the radiothon day as the host of Hawkeye in the Morning.
“It’s totally different for us,” Hawkeye said. “It’s the one day where we have to be prepared for surprises and never know what’ going to happen. You never know when a kid is going to blow your socks off. What’s so neat about the day is something always happens you never expect. And at the end of the day, you just feel great. You were able to facilitate everybody in the community coming together for a great cause. I love how it feels at the end of the day.”
Hawkeye has developed a special bond with Cook Children’s. He describes the medical center as “if Disney designed a hospital this is what it would look like.”
In 2002, Hawkeye was visiting with a friend who told him about his experience at Camp Sanguinity, a Cook Children’s summer camp for hematology and oncology patients and their siblings. Hawkeye enjoyed being a camp counselor when he was younger and decided to volunteer as a counselor, as well.
From 2002 to 2006, he spent a week each year as the counselor in the oldest boys’ cabin and served on the Friends of Camp Sanguinity Board from 2004 to 2006.
“I made some tremendous friends and liked the kids so much,” Hawkeye said. “I really enjoyed working with the older kids. I have such a great deal of respect for them and everything they’ve gone through. They may have lost their hair or gone through an amputation. But at camp, it’s just so rewarding to see kids just be kids. I had someone tell me once, ‘This is the first time I’ve felt like a normal kid since I lost my leg a year ago. That’s pretty amazing.”
After spending time away, Hawkeye returned to Camp Sanguinity in 2014. That same year, he decided to expand his support for Cook Children’s beyond the campgrounds and onto his own backyard – the airwaves. In October, the radiothon began. Since then, the team has raised more than $338,000.
Hawkeye was recognized for his efforts in the fight against childhood cancer last year by Cook Children’s and Aflac through its Duckprints program. Duckprints is a national program that recognizes unsung heroes in their communities who have made a difference in the lives of children and families facing cancer.
The footprint that Hawkeye is leaving on Cook Children’s is deep, and touches many lives.
“Cook Children’s is really a crown jewel of Fort Worth,” Hawkeye said. “You get a sense of the importance of the work that everyone does and how thoughtful and planned out everything is there. Everyone is so dedicated to giving the best possible care possible for the kids in our community.”
