Kaitlin RiffelFRESNO, Calif. (KMPH) -
A Fresno girl has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship for making a positive impact in her community.
Kaitlin Riffel was one of 200 children across the nation who beat out more than 35,000 nominees in the Kohl's Cares Scholarship Program.
At 11 years old, Kaitlin is the founder of Kids on a Mission -- a group created to help build a playground at the Rescue the Children Community in Fresno.
She helped recruit volunteers, created a newsletter and organized lemonade and bake sales. She also created a video to raise awareness of her mission.
So far, Kaitlin has raised $26,000 of the $75,000 needed to build the playground.
Because of her leadership and initiative, Kaitlin was chosen as a scholarship winner. She now qualifies to win one of Kohl's ten $10,000 national scholarships. Those winners will be announced at the end of this month.
In the 12 years of Kohl's Cares Scholarship Program, they've awarded $3.5 million in scholarships and prizes.
