At only the age of 15, Caroline Ford has become a staple in the community.

She's raised more than 20-thousand dollars through her organization the Young Artist Alliance.

"Nominating Caroline for the Jefferson Award was a no brainier for us," says Stormi Murtie with the Center of Courageous Kids, "because she's so delightful, so focused and driven."

Caroline is a recipient of this year's Jefferson Awards, not only for her work at the Center for Courageous Kids, but because of her dedication to the American Red Cross and the Young Artist Alliance.

The alliance, organized by Caroline was a way to raise money for those effected by the massive earthquake hitting Haiti.

"It was in response to the earthquake and I was 13-years-old and I didn't know how I could help," says Caroline, "so I got some of my friends together and we put on a talent show and we called it the Young Artist Alliance.

"I just thought it was going to be a great talent show," says Jennifer Capps, with the American Red Cross of South Central Kentucky, "Well between each fact she offered statistics, she talked about Haiti, she educated not only the crowd, but the students who were participating she just really had a heart."

"And since then, we've had two other showcases," says Caroline, "this will be our third annual showcase this year and we've done some other things raising over 20 thousand dollars"

Caroline saw the work being done at the Center for Courageous Kids and although she is not yet old enough to be hands on with the medically fragile children, she still wanted to help them.

"The Center for Courageous Kids is the most magical place on earth," says Caroline, "it's a camp for medical fragile kids, where they can go and have fun for the summer."

Caroline contacted the center and asked how she could help.

"When she contacted the Center for Courageous Kids she had a link of the showcase the year before and I watched that and said, wow," says Murtie, "so I knew I was dealing with someone who was a can-do person, I just didn't know until I met Caroline that she's got that certain something-something."

"So, she would go out and spread the word to businesses and foundations and corporations in the community. Talk about the Center for Courageous Kids and talk about Miss Betty, our founder and how Miss Betty inspired her."

"I was so inspired by Elizabeth Turner," says Caroline, "and her testimony, it's such a wonderful place and as much as I can help them, I want to, it's amazing."

Murtie says both Elizabeth Turner and Caroline shared the same values, "because there is a similarity there between someone like Caroline and Elizabeth Turner Campbell, in that, they both knew that one person with a big enough heart, and that was bull headed enough could really push that ball up the mountain, and really make a difference. She really posses that similar grit, and determination and knowledge that I can do this."

"I really believe that every person has a reason to be here," says Caroline "we all have special talents and gifts and we should utilize them to help other people, because we all can."

After the Young Artist Alliance's first show, her work with the American Red Cross wasn't over.

"She does the Will-Sing for food event," says Capps, "Right before Thanksgiving, it stocks up our food pantry for the winter months and the holidays... the kids actually bring in a canned food item as their entrance fee."

At the age of 15 her accomplishments are extensive, in fact too long to name here, but she's made an substantial impact on this community.

"She wants to use her talents for the good of others," says Capps, "and you just don't see that especially in someone so young."

"She seems very mature she comes off much older," says Murtie, "Caroline is one of those individuals that has the presence can express herself well and has found her voice. I tell a lot of young people to find their voice she has found hers."

"It's so humbling, it's so amazing because I really owe this all to everyone in our community and everyone who has always participated in the Young Artists Alliance," says Caroline, "it's the people who perform their hearts out and that's the reason why I'm here today."

And that is why Caroline is one of this year's Jefferson Award Winners.