Wesley Chapel Resident Named Community Champion

Local volunteer and Wesley Chapel resident Nikki Ross-Inda was recently honored by Molina Healthcare of Florida for her volunteerism and advocacy at the fourth annual Community Champions Awards event.

The ceremony was held at The Signature Grand and included entertainment by the South Florida Boys and Girls Choir.

Ross-Inda created The Moffitt Healthy Kidz Program, a one-of-a-kind program that educates and enlightens underserved youth of all ages and their families through activities that address mental and physical health. Through the program, she has been able to provide children and their families with information and tools to which they otherwise would not have had access.

The Moffitt Healthy Kidz Program serves approximately 1,000 kids annually. It provides backpacks that include health items such as water bottles, hula hoops and jump ropes to encourage healthy eating, exercise and strategies to address smoking and bullying. The program also partners with other community organizations to provide educational, social and cultural programs to help enrich the lives of children.

“Nikki is an extraordinary example of someone who truly cares about the health and well-being of young people,” said David Pollack, president of Molina Healthcare of Florida. “The work she has done to educate children about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle has impacted the entire community. We are proud to recognize her as Community Champions winner.”

Established to honor the memory of Molina Healthcare’s founder Dr. C. David Molina, the Community Champions award program spotlights the good deeds of everyday heroes in their communities. Molina has been hosting the Community Champions Awards for seven years in the states that it operates.  The winners are nominated by community-based organizations and they also receive a $1,000 grant to give to deserving nonprofit organizations as part of their award. Ross-Inda presented her grant to the Moffitt Healthy Kidz Program.