Mo s t r e c e n t l y,
Maver ick and the
CTQ crew have lent a
hand to Turning Points,
Goodwill Manasota,
Stuf f the Bus (to
benet The Food Bank
of Manatee), and All
Faiths Food Bank’s
Campaign Against
Summer Hunger, just
to name a few.
When asked what
inspires him to give
back so generously,
Maverick answers,
“My parents instilled
it in me. They always
said, ‘If you can help
someone, help.’”
Volunteering took on a more personal signicance for Maverick
in 1999 when his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Fortunately, his mother is a survivor. After surgery, chemotherapy,
and radiation, she beat the disease.
“Later that year, I was approached by a volunteer with the
Cancer Society to help them with fundraising,” Maverick
explains. To this day, he continues to work with the society. “My
relationship to help locally with the Cancer Society is still going
strong,” he adds. “For the last three years, we have hosted
a Pink Sunset Cruise in honor of my mother and all others
battling this disease. LeBarge Cruises in Sarasota donates
their boat and staff for one evening, and 100% of the dollars
raised by those who attend the cruise goes to the American
Cancer Society.”
Wishes for Heroes
In 2011, Maverick’s father, Denis V. Cooper, passed away
unexpectedly. “He served our country as a U.S. Marine
Helicopter Crew Chief in combat in Vietnam,” Maverick says. He
explains that his father was misdiagnosed while under the care
of the Veterans Administration (VA) and quickly grew ill.
“While he was in hospice care with the VA, they told us about
a ‘grant a wish’ program that granted a last wish for veterans,”
Maverick recalls. “My dad wanted to take my sister and I shing
one last time. However, he was too sick to leave his hospice room.
My mother was so distraught about how my dad died, she asked
me if we could create a foundation in his name to help veterans,
like my dad, who had seemingly been forgotten.”
Maverick decided to create a wish-granting organization for
military veterans and their families. In 2014, Denis V. Cooper
Foundation - Wishes for Heroes was born. “We collaborate with
all other local veteran organizations and other local non-prot
organizations that assist veterans,” Maverick explains.
The all-volunteer, 01c non-prot organization has already
granted some incredible wishes. In 2019, Wishes for Heroes
covered dental work for 98-year-old Chief Bill Cheeseman, a
U.S. Navy World War II Veteran from Sarasota. “This hero can’t
stop smiling because after years of the VA turning him down for
dental care, he now has his pearly whites back,” Maverick says.
In 2018, the Foundation granted a wish for Sgt. Clarence Addy, a
94-year-old U.S. Air Force WWII Veteran in Sarasota. As a B-17
lower ball turret gunner, he ew many combat missions against Nazi
Germany. Clarence’s roof was in bad shape, so his friend nominated
him for the wish. “Thanks to our wonderful supporters, we were
able to grant this hero’s wish and replace his roof,” Maverick adds.
Maverick says that creating Wishes for Heroes after his father’s
death was like, “nding sunshine after a storm.” There is no
question that this big-hearted radio host will continue to spread
plenty of sunshine across Southwest Florida.
Maverick and his Mom Grace
Maverick and his Mom Grace
Sgt. Clarence Addy, United States Air Force, a B-17 lower ball turret
gunner in WWII, who ew many combat missions against ai Germany.
Clarence is 95 years old and lives in Sarasota.
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