REDMOND, Wash. — A Redmond girl was recognized on a national level for a volunteer initiative she began during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Gaurangi Gupta, 11, started the website Youth4Us which promotes community service and literacy while offering activities like free art lessons online every week.
Gaurangi was awarded a national Young Achievers award for her work. She's one of 16 young people in the country to receive the award.
Young Achievers are positive role models, good citizens in their schools and communities and successful in a variety of areas, according to the organization's website.
"When I found out I got it, I'm surprised but super happy," Gaurangi said.
Although summer has just begun, she's already planning to donate painted flower pots and succulents to a local senior center. She's also organizing a children's business fair in Redmond for later this summer.
“Kids can be an entrepreneur and get hands-on experience in how to sell and handle customers,” Gaurangi said.