Dani McTague, 16, has turned a pandemic‑era Facebook page into a nationwide lifeline, delivering art supplies to children in hospitals across Oklahoma.
She began the initiative in 2020 while still in elementary school, noticing that lockdown‑induced school closures left many kids without art tools. A simple Facebook post and a short video prompted a wave of donations from across the state, turning a local idea into a national effort.
To date, the project has raised more than $30,000, funded 3,700 art bags, and delivered supplies to children, seniors, veterans, and families in need. A mobile art cart now brings the materials directly into OU Children’s Hospital wards, allowing patients to create art while recovering. “I love seeing kids smile when they finish a painting,” McTague said in a recent interview.
McTague’s leadership extends beyond art. As a state 4‑H Ambassador and council member, she has led 125 workshops, logged 5,500 volunteer hours, and impacted 135,000 people, earning national honors such as the Prudential Spirit of Community and the President’s Volunteer Service Award. “She’s a true role model for young leaders,” said 4‑H educator Serena Woodard. “Her attention to detail and self‑motivation set her apart.”
The 16‑year‑old was inducted into the Oklahoma 4‑H Hall of Fame, receiving a $7,500 scholarship, after a surprise call from state youth‑development specialist Cathleen Taylor. She now aims to mentor younger 4‑H members and expand the mobile cart to serve more pediatric patients in the coming year.