Savannah Padgett, a senior at Bainbridge High School, has been awarded a Disney Summer of Service grant through YSA (Youth Service America). The grant supported Padgett in leading a community service project to provide “feel good items” to residents in the local nursing homes.

Service activities took place in December. Padgett’s project, “It is the Little Things that Make a Difference”, began with a campaign to collect scented soaps, lotions, scarves, costume jewelry, cologne, handkerchiefs, gently used purses, word search books, and various toiletry items. The community support was overwhelming with 381 items donated and the grant funds purchased an additional 84 items. The items were sorted and delivered to Bainbridge Health Care and Memorial Manor Activity Directors and distributed to residents at the annual Christmas party.

Padgett is one of 340 young leaders across the country awarded a $500 Disney Summer of Service grant to organize projects to help make their communities healthier, greener and stronger. Grantees educate and mobilize their peers around issues through awareness, service, advocacy, and philanthropic activities.

Decatur County Lions Club was Padgett’s partner organization and members worked with her as a project mentor.