Latest news with #FirstFidelityBank
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cashier rings up joy to Pay it Forward
MIDWEST CITY, Okla. (KFOR) – When you check out with Cynthia David at Lowe's in Midwest City, you might not know it, but you are actually checking in. Checking in to her ministry, lifting people up. 'I shop here, and I notice that whenever I go to the register, someone's always singing, and I noticed it was Cynthia,' says Kenny Blackwell, who nominated Cynthia for the Pay it Forward award. 'It makes me feel really good, just like hearing the birds singing, you get a good feeling. So, every time I come here, I look forward to seeing her and I hear her singing, and that's why I nominated her.' PAY IT 4WARD: Yukon girl proves you can be a hero at any age 'For over 100 years, First Fidelity Bank has invested in the communities we serve, and we are proud to recognize those who give back to our communities,' says Terry Whitmore with First Fidelity Bank as he gives Kenny the $400 in prize money. We headed to the checkout to surprise Cynthia. 'Hello! how are you today? You're Cynthia?' 'Yes sir,' responded Cynthia. 'We have a little program at Channel 4 where we honor people around the community that are awesome and make other people happy, and this man right here, one of your customers, Kenny, nominated you for our Pay it Forward award this week and I'm going to let him tell you why.' PAY IT 4WARD: Ridgeview teacher brings safari to young students for state testing 'Well I come here many times and I notice that you are always singing and I'm standing at the back of the line and I'm like wow, one day I'm going to nominate her, so on behalf of First Fidelity Bank and Channel 4 News I'd like to present you four hundred dollars! One, two, three, four' says Kenny counting out the money to Cynthia. 'Thank you, Channel 4! God is good,' exclaims Cynthia. 'What a blessing! Thank you, Lord.' Paying it Forward, one praise song after another in Midwest City. Pay it 4Ward is sponsored by First Fidelity 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Yukon girl proves you can be a hero at any age
YUKON, Okla. (KFOR) – A little girl from Yukon is proving you can be a hero at any age after the 7-year-old saved her neighbor's house from burning to the ground. 'I saw dark clouds moving fast in the sky,' said first-grader Kynlee Dewitt. 'It was really dark out, and it was stormy.' Early May storms created a dance of lightning in the sky above Kynlee's home in Yukon. 'I heard a big, loud – like thunder, basically, and I thought it hit our backyard, so I was checking. But then, I looked up at that house and I saw the smoke,' Kynlee said. Ridgeview teacher brings safari to young students for state testing A lightning strike had taken direct aim at her neighbor's house. Kynlee ran to get her mother, Amanda, who called 911. 'My mom tells me, 'If you see something, say something.'' And it's a good thing she did! Her neighbors were not home, so had Kynlee not said something, flames could have spread to the entire house. But what is spreading—is word around town. Edmond teacher transforms lives, inspires at-risk students When Amanda's friend, Carla Vickers, heard the news, she nominated Kynlee for a $400 Pay It 4Ward award. 'I'm just proud of her because she's seven,' Carla said. 'I just think it's very brave of her, and she's such a sweet, kind little girl that I just feel like she deserves to be recognized.' First Fidelity Bank Senior Branch Manager Bobby Burger tagged along with our news crew to present the $400 to Kynlee. 'So, Kynlee, on behalf of First Fidelity Bank, I'm happy to give you $400,' Bobby said as he handed over what might seem like a fortune to any child. 'Thank you,' Kynlee said, surprised. News 4's Heather Holeman asked, 'What do you think of that?' 'Good,' she said. 'Have you ever had $400 before?' Heather asked. 'No,' she replied. 'What are you going to do with all your money now?' Heather asked. Kynlee instantly knew the answer. 'Save it,' she said. 'You did a great thing,' Heather told her. 'Thank you for being a great Oklahoman!' And with a big smile on her face, complete with a dimple, Kynlee replied, 'You're welcome!' Pay it 4Ward is sponsored by First Fidelity 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Del-City High School teacher's name reflects impact on her students
DEL CITY, Okla. (KFOR) — Step inside Mrs. Angel Kerr's freshman English class — a cozy place that even former students continue to stop and revisit. 'And now I visit her during passing period sometimes,' MacKenzie Andersen said. 'She's just really energetic, outgoing, amazing woman.' Andersen is now a sophomore at Del City High School, but she knew of Mrs. Kerr's kindness long before she knew Mrs. Kerr. 'It's very touching, honestly. It feels amazing having someone in our corner like that, especially as a teenage girl,' Andersen said. For fifth through 12th graders within the Mid-Del School District, Mrs. Kerr has headed up the Sisterhood Project, providing sanitary products to female students free of charge and free of judgment. 'Some people can't afford them, or they can't have anyone who can get them for them,' Andersen said. PAY IT 4WARD: A special honor for a special education paraprofessional That is why she nominated Mrs. Kerr for Pay It 4Ward. 'We love recognizing people making a difference in the Midwest City and Del City area, and I think Mrs. Kerr is a perfect example of what Pay It 4Ward is all about,' Alyssa Sunday of First Fidelity Bank said. 'I would like to present you, on behalf of First Fidelity Bank, $400 to pay it forward.' 'You must be Mrs. Kerr. I'm Joleen with News 4, and you were nominated for Pay It 4Ward by one of your former students, and she has something for you.' 'It's $400,' Andersen said. Immediate tears. 'I love you, too,' Kerr said. 'Thank you.' Followed by immediate laughter. 'This was good,' Kerr said. 'We noticed that we have some kids who would miss school. 'Hey, where have you been?' I didn't have money for products, or I had an accident at school, and nobody wants to feel like that.' To Kerr, it seemed like an easy fix — supply them for everyone. 'We started trying to figure out how to come up with a way to reach as many people as possible in the least restrictive way,' she said. 'We want you in class. We want you to learn.' And students have learned much more. 'Since we started doing the program here, we changed the culture around it. Girls weren't trying to hide stuff,' Kerr said. In a classroom full of high school freshmen talking about what once may have been taboo, there was not one giggle. 'Here we're empowering these girls to be future women and these guys to be dads, and uncles, and friends that'll just go, 'Oh, yeah. It's just natural. It's completely normal,' which has been phenomenal,' Kerr said. 'I've got a whole basket and stuff just outside my door.' Donations are provided by individuals, and dispensers are inside every restroom and funded through the Mid-Del Public Schools Foundation. 'Crazy amazing support,' Kerr said. 'I love you so big.' Pay it 4Ward is sponsored by First Fidelity 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Devoted caretaker praised by family of girl with rare disease
MOORE, Okla. (KFOR) – Imagine the joy of holding your newborn for the first time, only to hear doctors say your baby would live to the age of two. That's what the parents of a baby in Moore were devastated to hear when their little girl was born with a rare disease. But, this little girl far surpassed two—in fact, she's about to celebrate her 16th birthday. And her family credits her long-term caretaker, Rhonda Monks, for lengthening her life. 'She's smart. She knew the capitols of every state,' said her proud grandpa, Davy Russell. Arianna Wilson Russell was born with SMA, or spinal muscular atrophy, a rare genetic disease that leads to breathing and swallowing difficulties. Pay It 4Ward: A faithful Norman tax preparer works for free 'She's a fighter, a tough little gal. So proud of her. It's hard. She means the world to me,' Davy said with tears in his eyes. Arianna can talk, and these are the words Davy loves most to hear: ''I love you, Grandpa.'' But much of Arianna's communication is done with her eyes. The sophomore uses an Eyegaze system to complete school work, attend doctor visits, and speech therapy—and she even edits videos for her YouTube channel! Standing by her side, where you'll often find her, Rhonda said, 'She emails her friends and she has a special friend.' 'We're more than just friends,' replied Alyssa. Rhonda has cared for Arianna for nearly 10 years, and plans to stay as long as she's needed. Rhonda's care is the reason Arianna's father, Gerald Russell, believes his daughter has blown her estimated life expectancy out of the water. 'Can't say enough about her. Can never be replaced. She's family,' Gerald said of Rhonda. To truly understand the depth of their gratitude, you must also understand the depth of their grief. Arianna had an older sister also diagnosed with SMA. Cadence lived for just three months. 'Lost her Christmas Day,' Davy said, 'Probably one of the saddest days of my life.' But because Cadence's younger sister is thriving, Davy nominated Rhonda for a surprise Pay It 4Ward award from First Fidelity Bank. 'I've walked some of the same path': Counselor guides Bethany man to the road of success 'We are so thankful for people like Rhonda and the care that they put into everything they do, especially with kids of all kinds of needs. So, we are very excited to present $400 for her today,' said First Fidelity Bank Representative Caitlin Melgar. As Davy handed the money to Rhonda, he said, 'Letting you know how much I appreciate you. You're awesome. Arianna loves you to death. The family loves you to death. You mean the world to us.' 'Is it okay if I hug you?' Rhonda asked. With arms outstretched, Davy replied, 'Yes, ma'am.' 'She is such a blessing, and I'm honored to be able to be her caregiver,' Rhonda said of Arianna. 'She's such a fun kid, and she makes my life better. She's grown a lot in her attitude, mind, body, spirit. We got to teach her how to read. And she's taught us as much or more as we've taught her.' 'Does your head need to come up?' Rhonda asked Arianna. 'A little bit, thank you,' she said. 'You're welcome. Arianna has very good manners, she's very kind,' Rhonda said. 'The doctors are all surprised,' Gerald said. 'All of them keep saying to just keep doing what she's doing. There's no end in sight now, the girl's gonna keep going – and it's something pretty magical.' A magical journey for all who know Arianna, now about to celebrate her Sweet 16th, as she continues to shatter the odds. 'I am brave,' Arianna said proudly. Yes, she truly is. Pay it 4Ward is sponsored by First Fidelity 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pay It 4Ward: A faithful Norman tax preparer works for free
NORMAN, Okla. (KFOR) — Tax season is here. It's a busy time for filers and preparers, and often overwhelming for taxpayers! News 4 and First Fidelity Bank are honoring a faithful tax preparer who works for free. He's a volunteer with the AARP Tax Preparation Team, who has been serving the Norman area for 25 years. In the heart of Norman, on the second floor of Wellness Square, you'll find Fred Martin every Monday night diligently working on tax preparation for strangers. 'I've walked some of the same path': Counselor guides Bethany man to the road of success 'He's doing a very necessary job. People don't want to do their taxes, or they can't do their taxes. He's there to get these people through that,' said fellow AARP Tax Aide John Fagen. 'If you could see the people and how they appreciate it. Some of them come in scared to death. They think the government is coming to get them.' Fagen nominated his friend, Fred Martin, for a Pay It 4ward Award. Martin recruited and organized this small army of tax preparers who serve anyone who walks in the door. 'He sucked me in about eight years ago, and I've been doing this ever since,' Fagen said. Martin has carefully prepared tens of thousands of returns over the years. The service is always free. 'I've tried to do it myself before, and it just didn't work out,' said Norman taxpayer, Paul Darata. 'I feel more comfortable if they're doing it.' First Fidelity Bank's Matt Robinson presented Fagen with $400 for Fred Martin. 'We thank you so much for nominating Fred for Pay It 4ward. He does great work with the AARP Tax Aide Program right here in the middle of tax season,' Robinson said. 'I can't think of a better time to present $400 on behalf of First Fidelity Bank to pay it forward.' John Fagen and tax aide Judy Ridgeway presented their friend with $400 in cash. At 84 years old, Martin is still having a good time doing taxes. 'It's a good service and people appreciate it, and I'm able to do it,' said Martin. 'Thank you all. It's a fun thing to do. I encourage other volunteers out there to step up.' Fred Martin and the AARP Tax Aide team help with tax returns every Monday night at 'The Well' in Norman from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. They also volunteer at the '12th Street Rec Center' in Norman on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. Pay it 4Ward is sponsored by First Fidelity 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
