Josie Grant, a senior at Francis Scott Key High School, was one of 14 members of Kiwanis International to be honored at the White House last Friday as a “Champion of Change.”
During the day-long program, the honorees were recognized for devoting their time and effort to their communities. They then had the opportunity to share their stories with Administration officials and Kiwanis members around the globe according to a CCPS news release.
Grant is the current Capital District Division 9 Lieutenant Governor for Key Club International, the Kiwanis International program for high school students.
At the age of 13, Grant developed the idea for her own foundation, Josie’s Smiles for Pediatrics. She was motivated by her young cousin’s illness, visiting other family members in hospitals, and seeing pediatric patients in such a quiet and serious place.
Grant made her first donation in 2008, collecting more than $2,100 worth of items for pediatric patients at Carroll Hospital Center. Through Josie’s Smiles for Pediatrics, she has coordinated the donation of more than $26,000 worth of items to the hospital.
The Champions of Change program was created to honor ordinary Americans doing great work in their communities. Each week, a different sector is highlighted and groups of Champions, ranging from educators to entrepreneurs to community leaders, are recognized for the work they are doing to serve and strengthen their communities.
Information in this article was taken from a Carroll County Public Schools news release.
