FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – A local changemaker was recognized Wednesday on singer Kelly Clarkson’s talk show.
Sammie Vance, the 16-year-old founder of Sammie’s Buddy Bench Project, appeared virtually on The Kelly Clarkson Show during the “What I’m Liking” segment.
She got to tell Kelly all about the project, which has made an international impact since Sammie founded it seven years ago with the goal of forging friendships and helping others feel less alone in the world, starting with the simple act of sitting on a bench together.
“The whole process of being on The Kelly Clarkson Show didn’t really hit me until afterward,” Sammie said. “Kelly said some very kind things that I’m very grateful for.”
Sammie even got to send a copy of her book , “Inspire the World: A Kid’s Journey to Making a Difference”, to Kelly’s kids, who are around the same age Sammie was when she founded the buddy bench project.