My Edmonds News is proud to introduce a new video feature, “Edmonds Newsmakers,” in which we profile Edmonds residents and business owners. Our inaugural interview is with Maria Montalvo, Executive Director of the Edmonds-based Our Family for Families First Foundation.

Montalvo is in Washington, D.C. this week, accompanied by her husband and Edmonds City Council President Strom Peterson, to accept an award from First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden (spouse of Vice President Joe Biden). The award recognizes the foundation’s efforts to provide college scholarships and grants to students and spouses of active-duty military personnel.

Here is the press release issued April 6 by the White House:

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden Announce “Joining Forces Community Challenge” Winners
From more than 300 submissions, five winners and “The People’s Choice Winner” are recognized for displaying exemplary support to military families

WASHINGTON — First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden today announced the five winners and “The People’s Choice Winner” of the Joining Forces Community Challenge, an effort to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary efforts of citizens and organizations across the country that are working to improve the lives of military families.  The announcement comes in advance of the one-year anniversary of the launch of Joining Forces, the national initiative started by the First Lady and Dr. Biden to support and honor America’s service members and their families.

The Joining Forces Community Challenge, launched last July, captured the innovative ways Americans have stepped up to support and honor our military families.  The Joining Forces Community Challenge winners include:

• The People’s Choice Winner: Our Family for Families First Foundation
• Armed Forces Service Center
• Defending the Blue Line
• Give an Hour
• Project Sanctuary
• City of Richfield, Utah

“Jill and I are so proud of all of these finalists and the work that they have done for our military community,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “Our military families demonstrate such strength, service, and sacrifice every single day, and we’re so grateful for everyone who is stepping up to give back to these families.  The challenge winners are leading by example, and showing that all of us can find a way to serve those who serve us.”

“As a military mom, I know firsthand the impact a small act of kindness can have on a military family,” said Dr. Jill Biden. “So the great work we have seen through the Joining Forces Community Challenge has been inspiring.  I hope others can look to these incredible examples for ways to support service members and military families in their own communities.”