Plainsboro resident Ruchita Zaparde, 17, was selected as one of 50 global finalists in the Build-A-Bear Workshop’s annual search for Huggable Heroes, young leaders making a positive impact on their communities and around the world. She is a rising senior at Princeton Day School.
Zaparde started the non-profit, Sew-A-Future, in 2010. Sew-A-Future donates sewing machines to widows with young children in rural India. The organization strives to uplift and empower widows with young children by providing them with a steady source of income. Thus far, the non-profit has helped 87 widows become self-sufficient, while spreading awareness about the Indian widow’s plight, and reinforcing the value of a helping hand.
As a finalist, Zaparde will find out soon if she has been chosen as one of the ten 2014 Huggable Heroes to receive $7,500 — a $5,000 educational scholarship and a $2,500 donation to a registered charity of their choosing.
“Build-A-Bear Workshop launched the Huggable Heroes program in 2004 as a way to recognize young people for their outstanding community service efforts,” said Gina Collins, Build-A-Bear Workshop chief marketing officer.
“Young and inspiring leaders like Ruchita Zaparde embody what Huggable Heroes is all about — children demonstrating genuine kindness and compassion while making a difference for those in need.”
