ONE HELLUVA RIDE...
It's with a heavy heart that local charity, Level Up Seattle, had to say goodbye to their dear friend and board member, Frank Shankwitz. Frank was also the Creator, Co-founder, and first president of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Frank passed away on January 22nd, 2021. The founder of the greatest global non-profit for children was asked: “What’s your wish?” His response? “To have my story told…”
Frank and Katrina became friends years ago when they met through a mutual friend and realized that they had a similar mission in life. They both believed that changing the lives of children and young adults is the most important thing and that anyone can be a hero. They hosted events together at the Columbia Tower Club in Seattle in an event series called On the Shoulders of Giants. The most recent of which was an interview session where guests were able to hear Frank's life story and what inspired him to create his charity and then later in life join the board of Katrina's non profit.
Katrina knew what she needed to do - help youth that were either at-risk of homelessness or aging out of the foster care system to finish school and have a safe place to live while they’re doing it. Her friendship with Frank and their similar missions led them to create Level Up Seattle. Katrina & Frank founded the 501(c)3 to do just that. Provide housing and educational opportunities for at-risk or homeless youth in the local area. “It was an incredible honor to receive guidance from someone who created an extraordinary charity that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.” Said Katrina.
Even with the difficult year Level Up Seattle went through during Covid-19, they are sponsoring an event hosted by Wish Riders in Frank’s hometown of Arizona. It is a Celebration of Life Memorial Ride to honor the life of Frank Shankwitz on May 1st, 2021. It will be a day filled with music including; Justin Hitson & Southbound and Ryan Weaver, vendors, tributes, family and friends as we celebrate Frank and his legacy.
Frank was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had a long and distinguished career in law enforcement. He began as an Arizona Highway Patrol Motorcycle Officer, and retired as a Homicide Detective with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, with 42 years of service. He was featured in numerous publications and television programs, and received several notable awards, including the White House Call To Service Award from both President George W. Bush and President Donald J. Trump, and the “Making a Difference In the World” award from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
In 2015, Frank joined six U.S presidents as well as Nobel Prize winners and industry leaders as a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. In 2017, Frank was presented the Unite4: Humanity Celebrity ICON Social Impact Award. In February 2018, Frank shared the stage with Matthew McConaughey at Universal Studios at the LA City Gala and was presented the first City Gala Hero Award. In June 2019, Frank joined 89 celebrities when he received his “STAR” on the Las Vegas Walk of Fame.
Frank’s life story was told in his book, Wish Man, and was later featured in a motion picture by the same name that was released in June 2019, which can be seen on Netflix. Copies of the book, Wish Man will be available for purchase at the event along with a children’s book he wrote called Wishes Won't Wash Dishes to raise additional funds for his charities.
For more information about the event please visit www.wishriders.org or to schedule an interview please contact info@wishriders.org