2008 KIND Kid of the Year!

Last month, we brought you the story of Haley Ham. After her dogs Sam and Jessie died from antifreeze poisoning, this Tennessee sixth-grader wanted to stop other pets from suffering the same fate.

Haley learned that a bitter ingredient called denatonium benzoate can be added to antifreeze. This makes it taste bad to people and pets. "I found out that five states already had laws requiring this bittering agent be added to antifreeze," Haley says. "If this law was in every state, Sam and Jessie most likely would still be here with me."

A Kid on a Mission
Haley got right to work. She wrote letters to her state lawmakers telling her story. Senator Raymond Finney quickly signed on to her cause.

Senator Finney and Haley worked with LeighAnn McCollum, Tennessee state director for The Humane Society of the United States, to write a bill. If passed into law, the bill would require the bittering agent be added to all antifreeze sold in Tennessee. *

Haley didn't stop there though. To let people know about the dangers of antifreeze, she set up a website and started an online petition. (At last count, more than 1,000 people had signed it!) She passed out fliers and set up a booth at the county fair. Haley also did interviews with local TV stations to get the word out. Watch the video here.

After all her hard work, it was easy to choose Haley as our 2008 KIND Kid of the Year. And we're not the only ones to honor Haley for her efforts. Senator Finney  introduced a Senate Joint Resolution in Tennessee. It recognizes Haley for her "honorable service to the good people of this State and their beloved animal companions by promoting the dangers of antifreeze ingestion."

Since she's been awarded KIND Kid of the Year, Haley has appeared on her local radio station to talk about the passage of her bill—and she was invited to appear on The Tonight Show!

* We're happy to report that Haley was successful! The bill passed the Tennessee legislature and has been signed into law by Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen!

Way to go, Haley!