It is described as “an accidental movement” started by longtime Arizona morning radio hosts who can be heard on iHeartMedia’s Top 40 stations serving Tucson and Phoenix and on affiliates of their Premiere Networks-syndicated show. Now, The Johnjay & Rich #LoveUp Foundation is celebrating the graduation of Grand Canyon State foster youth who, thanks in part to their organization, overcame a host of obstacles to receive their high school and/or college diplomas.
Created by JohnJay Van Es and Rich Berra, the foundation was created to be “a force for positive change and impact the lives of children and adults” in the communities across Arizona in which their show is heard. This includes areas that can receive KZZP-FM 104.7 in Phoenix and the station where JohnJay & Rich first gained attention, KRQQ-FM 93.7 in Tucson. “It’s our hope that all people in our community will be inspired by the #LoveUp Foundation to spread kindness and to positively impact children facing life in the foster care system,” the hosts note.
This saw the hosts throw a large graduation party last weekend at a Dave & Buster’s in Tempe, Ariz., where they rolled out the red carpet for those newly bestowed with diplomas. Nearly 75 students were individually recognized and celebrated.
“These kids aren’t having parties like other kids to celebrate their graduation because their parents aren’t around and likely won’t ever be,” said Van Es, who first teamed with Berra at “93.7 KRQ” in 2001. “It’s amazing – they all could have dropped out and none of them did. They all decided to push for a life that’s better than where they came from.”
Berra added, “We are so proud of the work they have done. We told these kids they are going to crush it in life because no one will see them coming. They just keep working despite their situation. It’s super inspiring. And it’s super important that they feel seen.”
The duo’s #LoveUp effort dates to an incident several years where Van Es received a text from Hall of Fame NFL Quarterback Kurt Warner that inadvertently included an autocorrect of “Love It” to “Love Up.” They discussed the text on their show, and ultimately decided that #LoveUp would be a great way to remind people to pay it forward and spread the love.
Originally founded as the Johnjay and Rich Care for Kids Foundation, the charitable organization changed its name to the Johnjay and Rich #LoveUp Foundation in 2017.
#LoveUp programs are funded by private and corporate donations, as well as the sale of #LoveUp Merchandise. Visit https://loveupfoundation.org/ for more information. We also encourage our readers to consider local organizations with similar tenets, including http://bestfoot.org in Palm Beach County, Fla.
