An ASU student recently got a little help from Phoenix’s KPHO, CBS 5, winning $500 to help her through a tough time.
Katie Dethlefsen, an elementary education senior who has been caring for her three younger sisters since her mom died three years ago, won KPHO’s “Pay it Forward” award last week, receiving the money to help support her family.
“It makes me feel like the things that I’m doing are really making a difference, especially in my sisters’ lives,” Dethlefsen said.
Dethlefsen cares for her siblings in a variety of ways, despite being a full-time student and holding down an internship as well.
One of Dethlefsen’s main duties is driving her sisters — Molly, 16, Emily, 14, and MaggieMae, 7 — to school every morning before she goes to class.
Some of the other things Dethlefsen does include cooking dinner, doing laundry and setting up baths.
Kim Toops, Dethlefsen’s friend, nominated Dethlefsen for the award on Oct. 23.
“I wish everyone was as good-hearted as Katie is … she definitely would have made her mom proud,” Toops said.
Dethlefsen and her sisters received the $500 at Toops’ house. They had no idea what was going on until KPHO’s cameras began filming and Toops presented them with the money.
“They were shocked, they couldn’t believe it,” Toops said.
KPHO started the “Pay it Forward” program in May 2009 because of the economic downturn, said Michelle Donaldson, news director for KPHO and member of the board that selects the “Pay it Forward” winner. Newscasts are becoming more depressing, she said, and the “Pay it Forward” program injected hope into the newscast.
“It’s been good for us, it’s been good for our viewers,” Donaldson said.
People can be nominated for the distinction on KPHO’s website, and one person wins the award each week. Donaldson said the board is looking for someone that the money will make a difference to immediately. In some of the several hundred submissions they have received, the nominated person is too far in a hole for $500 to help very much.
The money has already helped Dethlefsen and her family.
“We’ll be saving it right now and we’ll decide what we need it for later,” Dethlefsen said.
Reach the reporter at connor.radnovich@asu.edu
