Water fountain honors Kami Moon

BERLIN HEIGHTS — A new water fountain allows people to hydrate while also honoring a beloved voice greatly missed throughout the Firelands region. During Saturday's Tango Trot event at Memorial Park in Berlin Heights, organizers unveiled a new multitiered device in which humans and animals can sip from. It also includes a station where people can refill their water bottles. It's "In loving memory of Kami Moon," according to a plaque on the fountain's side. The plaque also pays tribute to Kami's surviving father, Kelly, a Vietnam veteran and longtime public servant of the Milan-Berlin Heights area. He's also a former mayor of Berlin Heights. Many organizations, including the Maxton W. Soviak Memorial Foundation, which oversees the Tango Trot, covered costs. Others contributing included Berlin Heights' government, Ollendick Construction along with Wilkes Plumbing & Heating. Since the Tango Trot's inception in 2022, Kami played a vital role in advertising, publicizing and acting as the event's emcee. She always supported veterans. This year marks the first Tango Trot without her. Many in attendance on Saturday expressed their deepest condolences and offered glowing remarks about Kami. This would include Kip Soviak, father to the late Maxton Soviak. The Tango Trot pays tribute to Soviak, a late U.S. Navy Corpsman and a 2017 Edison High School graduate. Tango is Max's German Shepherd, serving as the face of the dog walk. During the water fountain's groundbreaking, Kip memorialized Kami. "Kami Moon has been instrumental in helping us get up and running over the last four years by providing airtime whenever we need to promote an event or just talk about the foundation," said Kip, referencing the Maxton W. Soviak Memorial Foundation, which receives funds to help veterans through events like the Tango Trot. "She had a big heart for the community and was a huge dog lover," Kip added. "We chose this style of fountain to honor those two aspects of her life. It provides ater for humans as well as a separate bowl for dogs." In memory In April, Kami passed away. She was 47. Many regarded the 1996 Edison High School graduate as a valued voice and an even friendlier face who used her local celebrity status to support several causes, which assisted countless community members. Through segments on widely listened-to shows, Kami took advantage of her radio platform on sister stations WLKR-FM, 95.3, and K96 to raise awareness for many impactful initiatives. The lifetime local either emceed or played a pivotal role for many events, including fundraisers for: • Veterans through the Maxton W. Soviak Memorial Foundation's Tango Trot in Berlin Heights • Breast cancer survivors and programs through Girls Night Out, which occurred at Kalahari Resorts & Conventions • Student-athletes representing her alma mater, Edison High School at the Milan Melon Festival and the Night at the Races event • First responders at firefighter chili cook-offs at various venues • Listeners during appreciation events, such as Summer Jam, at the Huron Boat Basin Through these events, her shows and a lifelong connection to the area — in both radio and waitressing at various restaurants — it's the reason why hundreds still mourn their late, great friend. Kami then rose to fame on the K96 Morning Crew, remaining a fixture on this show for more than 20 years. She served as the show's mainstay, working alongside many co-hosts, including Tim Kelly, Mike Jeffries, William Bradley and, presently, Josh Bowman. Kami also worked as K96's director for programming and promotions. She produced popular segments, including Moon Over Middays, which often featured positive news developments and highlighted charitable causes. It's how her role as a radio personality, in part, spread beyond the airwaves. Bill Forthofer, market manager for WLKR and K96, referenced Kami as the driving force behind their station's major events. Forthofer expressed how Kami truly became the face and voice of their station. "She was a delight to work with," said Forthofer, underscoring how he misses Moon's infectious laugh. "What you heard on the air was the real Kami Moon. That's what made her such a great on-air personality. She told you how it was, whether you liked it or not."