tonight’s emcee JASON kander Jason Kander is an Afghanistan Veteran, former Missouri Secretary of State, and a national political figure who stepped away from a presidential candidacy to address post-traumatic stress stemming from his military service. For the past few years, he helped build villages of tiny houses for homeless veterans as the president of national
at Veterans Community Project, where he currently serves as Senior Advisor. He is an award-winning podcaster, a bestselling author, and - believe it or not - an amateur baseball player. In 2021, after the U.S. military withdrew from Afghanistan, he founded American Rescue Project, which facilitated the escape of over 2000 Afghan allies from brutal Taliban retribution. Jason personally orchestrated "Operation Bella," a fake wedding that fooled the Taliban and defied the U.S. government. In reporting the story, 60 Minutes described it as "one of the most daring and unconventional rescue missions in recent history.” The Kanders have a long association with JVS. Jason's grandfather, Ed Kander, was the president of Jewish Family Services of Kansas City and steered the organization toward supporting JVS's work with refugees. Jason's wife Diana was resettled by JVS when she arrived in Kansas City as an eight-year- old Ukranian refugee. Jason also worked with JVS during the initial stages of Operation Bella, resulting in his translator's family arriving in Kansas City with JVS support in 2023.
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