Invisalign ChangeMakers, a partnership with National 4H Council, recognizes teens who have made a positive impact on their communities.
Align Technology Inc announced the recipients of its Invisalign ChangeMakers program, launched in partnership with National 4H Council. The goal of the program is to “celebrate and highlight” teens making a positive impact in their communities.
Applications and stories from across the United States were accepted between January and March 2021, with 100 youths aged 13 to 19 selected to receive a one-time $5,000 cash award to continue to bring positive change to their hometowns. According to Align Technology, of the 100 winners selected for exceptional public service, 30 are active 4-H members.
The winners will be celebrated July 10 at 5:00 pm PT during a virtual awards ceremony on YouTube emceed by executive producer and actor Marsai Martin, who is also an Invisalign patient.
The inaugural group of Invisalign ChangeMakers shared a wide variety of volunteer projects with judges, including delivery of handmade face masks and food to those in need during the height of the pandemic, to making weighted blankets for children with autism. Some of the winners include: Sidney Keys III, 15, Atlanta, Ga, who established “Books N Bros” to donate books to kids and help other boys get excited about reading books; Benjamin Kagan, 15, Chicago, who created Chicago Vaccine Angels, a service to help senior citizens schedule their COVID-19 vaccines and vetted each location to ensure it was legitimate and accessible; and Sruthi Sudarsan, 16, San Ramon, Calif who, as president of her local 4-H club, recruited volunteers to create face masks for healthcare and frontline workers from the onset of the pandemic.
“At Align, we know the power of a smile, and are inspired by the positive energy and commitment shared by all of the Invisalign ChangeMaker applicants who are leading the way to bring positive change and more smiles close to home,” said Raj Pudipeddi, chief innovation, product and marketing officer and senior vice president at Align Technology. “We congratulate the Invisalign ChangeMakers award recipients and look forward to celebrating these young leaders to recognize their community-focused accomplishments.”
“We are thrilled to partner with the Invisalign brand and empower 100 young leaders who are building a better and brighter future for us all,” said Ivan Heredia, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, National 4-H Council. “Through the ChangeMakers program, 4-H will continue to create opportunities for young people across the country as they discover their passions, build leadership skills, and develop confidence and compassion.”
