Two extraordinary women, Torri Williams and Kayla Johnson, were honored today with the President’s Volunteer Service Award, a prestigious recognition of their unwavering dedication to the Grant County community. The award was presented during a ceremony hosted by United Way Grant County, with Grant County Commissioner Steve Wright offering heartfelt remarks and reading a letter signed by the President of the United States.
Williams and Johnson have been driving forces behind the success of United Way’s Day of Action for the past two years. Their tireless service, passion, and ability to mobilize others have made a lasting impact on Grant County.
Kayla Johnson has also dedicated her efforts to community-focused initiatives such as the Marion City Neighborhood Associations, Community Gardens, Circles of Grant County, and others. Her work fosters stronger neighborhoods, creates spaces for growth, and supports individuals working toward self-sufficiency.
Torri Williams has played a pivotal role in projects such as Moving Marion Forward, the Marion Community Remembrance Project, Scholar House Marion, Lark’s Song, Black Lives Matter, and Indivisible Grant County. Her leadership promotes equity, education, and empowerment, shaping a more connected and resilient community.
During the ceremony, Commissioner Wright shared the following message on behalf of the President of the United States: “The American story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us. [ . . . ] By sharing your time and passion, you are helping discover and deliver solutions to the challenges we face – solutions that we need now more than ever. We are living in a moment that calls for hope and light and love. Hope for our futures, light to see our way forward, and love for one another. Through your service, you are providing all three.
LeeAnna Smith, Executive Director of United Way Grant County, echoed these sentiments, saying, “Torri and Kayla are the heart of what it means to serve. They don’t just support their community — they inspire it. Their work reminds us that United is the Way forward.”
The President’s Volunteer Service Award honors individuals who devote significant time to volunteerism and community improvement. In a time when local leadership and collective action are more critical than ever, Williams and Johnson stand out as pillars of hope and change.
