GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- We've shared their inspiring stories on the air, but Thursday FOX 17 teamed up with Amway and the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids to honor all the 2014 Pay It Forward Persons of the Month/
The first Pay It Forward Awards Gala was held at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. During the program, Nancy Johnson, the May Person of the Month, was named as the Pay It Forward Person of the Year.
Johnson launched a take-home food program in Montcalm County two years ago to make sure kids aren't going hungry on the weekend. The packed bags, or "macbaskets," are full of various snacks. The program started small, with donations and just under 50 kids in need at McNaughton Elementary. Johnson said it has now expanded to every school in the Tri-City school district with a list of kids topping 300.
Johnson was awarded a check for $2,500 dollars for her efforts. She told FOX 17 she has no plans yet for the prize money.
"I was just in shock, all the wonderful people that were nominated, I was just amazed that you guys chose me. There's so many deserving people and I was, I'm just still in shock."
The first Pay it Forward Person of the Month of 2015 will be featured Friday, January 30, at 6 p.m.
2014 Pay it Forward Persons of the Month
- January: Sarah Farkas, Zeeland
- February: Lenore Reynolds, Grand Rapids
- March: Jennifer Petrovich, Grand Rapids
- April: Roy and Ruth Seelye, Muskegon
- May: Nancy Johnson, Howard City
- June: Marcia Beare, Allegan
- July: Tony and Jayne Rice, Battle Creek
- August: Marshall Lewis, Greenville
- September: Ramon Hernandez, Okemos
- October: Shanee Laurent, Kent County
- November: Doran Robin Eichenberg, Zeeland
- December: Dave White, Gowen