Congratulations to Tradd Hodge, an eighth grader at McCracken Middle School, who was presented the Youth Humanitarian Award by the City of Spartanburg at our community’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration on January 19, 2025! We are proud to have D7 students selected for the last two years in a row for this new recognition of youth who share a vision for enabling all people in our community to thrive. The award is presented to a “youth who has passion, dedication, and commitment to make a change for the better in their community; who does acts of kindness or service to the community; and who exemplifies the spirit of good will, volunteerism, philanthropy, and humanitarianism.” Tradd’s mother, Anna Hodge, teaches art at Pine Street Elementary.
Tradd’s story is an inspiration for us all. In the words of his nominator:
“It was a simple idea, fostered from the heart of a 5-year-old boy. Tradd Hodge announced to his mother on the way home from school that he wanted to create his own holiday. He would call it Tradd's Giving Day. But there would be a catch, instead of gifts being given to him, he would give gifts to children who needed to feel better. His mother, Anna, could have left that sweet innocent thought right there in the car, but instead she, Tradd, along with little sister Suzanna organized and developed the very first Tradd’s Giving Day. Toys, books and donations were picked up or dropped off at their home. Once their garage was full, they filled carts with the donations and took them through the halls and into rooms of two children's hospitals in South Carolina. The smiles on each child’s face as he or she picked a surprise from the cart gave Tradd a new purpose.
Seven years later, his mission has grown and expanded to more organizations and hospitals. Tradd’s Giving Day has been renamed The Giver Foundation and is now a 501c3 with The Spartanburg County Foundation. Tradd hosts board meetings for his nonprofit and manages young volunteers who help him with the collection and delivery of toys. His mission is contagious and instrumental in fostering a sense of giving in the hearts and minds of his peers who support and volunteer alongside.
His mother Anna says that never once, even when collecting and organizing the most desirable and fabulous toy donations, did Tradd ever ask to keep one for himself. His heart was made for GIVING, even at the age of 5.”
McCracken Principal Dr. Telena Woody, who attended the celebration, enjoyed seeing her student recognized and believes lifting up the contributions of our youth is an important way to show people of all ages can make an important difference. “Tradd embodies the true spirit of leadership — always giving back to our school community with unwavering dedication and a heart for service. Through his actions he inspires others to lead with compassion, demonstrating that true leadership is not just about influence, but about making a difference in the lives of those around us.”