‘Kelly Clarkson Show’ Features Teen WoodmenLife Member and Her Nonprofit

In some ways, 18-year-old WoodmenLife member Leighanne Bryant of Dallas, GA, is your average teenager, excitedly talking about graduating high school and going to college. In other ways, though, the college freshman has set herself apart.

That’s because Bryant spends most of her free time thinking about how she can help raise funds for military families through her nonprofit, Gold Star Kids Support Services. Her nonprofit funds extracurricular activities — sports, clubs, the arts, etc. — for the children of Gold Star families, which are families of fallen service members.

From Volunteer Work to Nonprofit Founder

She started the organization when she turned 16. Bryant was inspired after doing volunteer work with military families, painting faces for the children while their parents were in meetings.

Two years later, Bryant is receiving attention for her efforts. She appeared on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” in a segment about “Rad Humans” that aired on May 15.

“I reached out to the ‘The Kelly Clarkson Show’ in January, and the producer got back to me and told me Kelly would be going through all the videos and picking out which ones would be good for her show,” Bryant said.

“We didn’t hear back until the beginning of April when the producers called and said we were going to be on the show. The producers flew us up to New York City and put us in a hotel in Times Square where we got to walk around the city, Times Square and the Rockefeller building the day before filming.”

The next day, the show had a driver come get Bryant and her parents from the hotel, and they went to Rockefeller Center. There, they saw the line of people waiting to get in to watch “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”

“That moment watching people line up to watch the show was surreal to me,” Bryant said. “I was thinking to myself that I was about to be on the show where people would be watching me and learning more about Gold Star Kids Support Services.”

She appeared on the show alongside her dad, Jim, who is a Veteran. During the segment, Bryant had the opportunity to meet Jack and his mom, Jennifer, who benefited from Gold Star Kids Support Services. Jack lost his dad in the line of duty.

Leighanne Bryant’s nonprofit, Gold Star Kids Support Services, funds extracurricular activities — sports, clubs, the arts, etc. — for the children of Gold Star families.

Balancing College and Her Nonprofit

While staying busy with her ongoing nonprofit work and national television appearance, Bryant started college this fall at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she is majoring in Kinesiology and working toward a certificate in Nonprofit Management.

“Being a Girl Scout and WoodmenLife member for so long, I have found my inspiration from organizations like these,” Bryant said.

“These organizations have a passion for their cause. When I started doing volunteer work with military families, I realized that a nonprofit was going to be the best way that I could raise funds for Gold Star children because I’m so passionate about the cause and helping military families.”

Supporting Veterans

WoodmenLife values our American freedoms and those who protect them. We are proud to honor the selfless actions of our Veterans. These individuals are the face of our American pride, and we know how important it is to celebrate and support them.

WoodmenLife members can work with their local chapter to organize a Veterans appreciation event. Find out more at WoodmenLife.org/Patriotism.

Watch the complete “Kelly Clarkson Show” segment featuring Leighanne Bryant. And learn more about her nonprofit Gold Star Kids Support Services.

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