Cleaning for a Reason Celebrates Inaugural Debbie Sardone Scholarship Recipient
Pictured: Aryanah Wippert-Derusha
By Lucy Lee
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SCHOLARSHIP RECOGNIZES SERVICE TO CANCER PATIENTS AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
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Rosemont, IL – August 3, 2026 – As part of its 20th anniversary celebration, Cleaning for a Reason is proud to announce the inaugural recipient of the Cleaning for a Reason Debbie Sardone $5,000 Scholarship—Aryanah Wippert-Derusha of Pewaukee, Wisconsin.
The scholarship honors founder Debbie Sardone for her visionary leadership, enduring influence, and lasting impact on the nonprofit and the cleaning industry. Administered through ISSA Scholars, a signature program of ISSA Charities, the scholarship recognizes students affiliated with Cleaning for a Reason partner companies whose academic achievement, resilience, integrity, leadership, and commitment to serving others reflect the values that have defined Sardone’s legacy and the organization’s mission.
Wippert-Derusha is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee while balancing multiple jobs and caring for family members. She is employed by CHRIStal Clean in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, a Cleaning for a Reason partner, where she helps provide complimentary house cleanings for cancer patients.
Her scholarship application reflected not only academic excellence but also resilience, entrepreneurial spirit, and a deep commitment to serving others. Through her work with CHRIStal Clean, she has witnessed firsthand the impact a clean home can have on people facing life’s greatest challenges.
“Working with CHRIStal Clean has shown me how much a clean home can mean to someone who is elderly, disabled, or battling cancer,” said Wippert-Derusha. “Meeting clients who face these challenges every day has inspired me to serve others with compassion and gratitude. This scholarship will help me continue my education while pursuing my dream of owning a business that makes a positive difference in people’s lives.”
“Being a Cleaning for a Reason partner has been one of the most meaningful parts of our work at CHRIStal Clean,” said Christine Steffes, owner of CHRIStal Clean. “Every cleaning we provide is an opportunity to offer comfort, dignity, and hope to individuals and families during an incredibly difficult time. We are honored to support Cleaning for a Reason’s mission, and we are incredibly proud of Aryanah for the compassion, dedication, and kindness she brings to our team and to the patients we serve.”
CHRIStal Clean has partnered with Cleaning for a Reason since 2015, donating free home cleanings to 107 local cancer patients throughout southeastern Wisconsin, with donated cleanings valued at $38,540. The company has been a dedicated supporter of the nonprofit’s mission to provide practical help and hope to cancer patients and their families.
In her scholarship essay, Wippert-Derusha shared how she was adopted and raised by her grandparents, whose retirement savings helped make college possible. She is currently balancing full-time studies, multiple jobs, and caregiving responsibilities for family members, including an uncle undergoing treatment for lymphoma. Despite financial hardships, she has remained focused on her education while building a small business creating and selling sustainable, upcycled fashion.
“Aryanah embodies everything this scholarship was created to celebrate,” said Lucy Lee, Program Manager of Cleaning for a Reason. “She has demonstrated exceptional perseverance, compassion, and a genuine desire to improve the lives of others. Through her work with one of our valued cleaning partners, she understands the profound difference a clean home can make for someone facing cancer. Her character reflects the values Debbie Sardone has championed throughout her career, and we are honored to recognize Aryanah as the inaugural recipient of this scholarship.”
The Cleaning for a Reason Debbie Sardone Scholarship was created during the nonprofit’s 20th anniversary year as a lasting tribute to Debbie Sardone’s belief that one person’s vision can create meaningful, lasting change. The scholarship supports owners, employees, and eligible family members of Cleaning for a Reason partner companies who are pursuing higher education while demonstrating resilience, service, leadership, and compassion.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, ISSA Scholars awarded 64 scholarships totaling $182,500, made possible through the generous support of ISSA member companies and individual donors.
About Cleaning for a Reason
Cleaning for a Reason partners with more than 1,400 residential cleaners throughout the United States and Canada to offer free house cleaning to any household battling cancer. Since 2006, the nonprofit and its partners have donated more than $23 million in services, helping more than 65,000 cancer patients. In 2017, Cleaning for a Reason was adopted by ISSA Charities, the charitable arm of ISSA, the association for cleaning and facility solutions. To learn more about Cleaning for a Reason and to apply for free house cleaning, see cleaningforareason.org.
