Sixteen-year-old Dani McTague has spent several years turning her love of art into a way to help others. She began ‘Dani’s Dream – Sharing the Love of Art’ in 2020, when she was 10, and schools were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. After noticing that some children did not have access to art supplies, she set out to share them with those in need.As per Points of Light, the project began with a Facebook page and donations from across the country before growing into an effort that provides art supplies to children’s hospitals, hospice centres, homeless shelters and families in need. Since then, McTague has donated more than 3,700 art bags across three states and created a mobile art cart for OU Children’s Hospital, where supplies are taken directly to paediatric patients.
How Dani’s Dream grew from a childhood idea into a nationwide service project
Dani McTague said, “I realized not everybody had access to art supplies because schools were closed. I created a Facebook page and a project video explaining what I wanted to do, and donations started arriving from across the country.” Donations soon began arriving from across the country, helping the project grow beyond its original goal.Since then, McTague has distributed more than 3,700 art bags filled with creative supplies to children, hospital patients, seniors, veterans, and others in need. Through grants, donations, and community partnerships, Dani’s Dream has generated more than $30,000 in support, as reported by Oklahoma State University. McTague has also taught workshops as part of the project and said she enjoys seeing children become excited after completing their art projects.
PC: Points of Light
Her 4-H work grows through workshops, leadership and mentoring
McTague’s work has extended beyond Dani’s Dream. She has served as a state 4-H Ambassador since age 13 and serves on the State 4-H Leadership Council. She has also led more than 125 workshops across Oklahoma. Her efforts have earned several state and national honors.Oklahoma State University reported that these include the National 4-H Lead to Change Grant, the Prudential Spirit of Community Award, and the President’s Volunteer Service Award at the bronze level. Through her service projects, workshops, and outreach efforts, McTague has impacted more than 135,000 people and logged more than 5,500 volunteer hours. Her service has also included mentoring younger leaders.Oklahoma County 4-H educator Serena Woodard said, “We had an 11-year-old member who wanted to start his own service project, and Dani stepped into a mentor role and helped guide him through planning and carrying it out.”
Her Hall of Fame selection comes as a surprise during a family trip
McTague learned about her Hall of Fame selection while she was travelling with her family. She said she was at the airport on her way to Hawaii and was on a plane when Cathleen Taylor, Oklahoma 4-H youth development specialist, called her. After she got off the plane, McTague saw notifications and called Taylor while she was with family.“I was at the airport on my way to Hawaii, and I was on a plane when Cathleen called me.”“When I got off, I had all these notifications. I called her back, and I was with all my family. It was really exciting because it’s been a goal of mine since seventh grade.”McTague was honoured during the Masonic Charity Foundation of Oklahoma Honor Night assembly at the 105th State 4-H Roundup at Oklahoma State University. As a Hall of Fame inductee, she received a $7,500 scholarship sponsored by Farm Credit Associations of Oklahoma.
How does Dani McTague plan to help younger 4-H members
McTague plans to continue expanding Dani’s Dream and serving Oklahoma 4-H during her senior year. She said, “I hope that I can be a mentor to younger 4-H’ers so they can start their own service projects and make an impact on their communities”Oklahoma County 4-H educator Cody Yount said McTague’s work ethic and determination helped distinguish her for the Hall of Fame. He also pointed to her attention to detail and self-motivation. Serena Woodard highlighted McTague’s willingness to help others succeed. After graduation, McTague intends to major in biology at Oklahoma State University with the goal of becoming a dermatologist.