Senator Joe McDermott was awarded a Champion for Children award by the Children’s Alliance for his long-standing commitment to feeding hungry children. During the 2009 Legislative session while the state faced a record budget shortfall, McDermott fought to ensure funding to eliminate the co-pay for reduced-price lunch for our youngest students and breakfast for all our students was retained.

Paola Maranan, Executive Director of the Children's Alliance,
presents the official Champions for Children Wheaties box award to Sen. McDermott

Champions for Children are state lawmakers recognized by the Children’s Alliance for their outstanding service on behalf of children. Each Champion for Children provided significant leadership during the 2009 state legislative session in preserving, protecting, or advancing state policies or investments that will improve the well‐being of vulnerable children in Washington. They distinguished themselves by joining with the Children’s Alliance to make children a priority in one of the toughest economic recessions in recent memory.