Woodsboro — Woodsboro resident Laura Grimes-Hartley recently was named to the board of directors for Kids' Chance of Maryland. "I was very honored to be nominated," she said. "It was quite an honor to be asked to join."
The nonprofit organization offers scholarships to children of Maryland workers hurt or killed while on the job.
Grimes-Hartley's husband, Gary, was killed when a forklift ran over him on a Gaithersburg construction site in 1998.
"When a tragedy like that occurs, it's so overwhelming," she said. "Losing my husband at a young age was devastating."
She will be the first board member whose children received a scholarship from the volunteer program, said executive director Nancy Kellar.
"We decided it would be good to get a parent's perspective," she said. "This was a major step for us."
Kids Chance recently decided to expand its board which includes workers compensation and business leaders.
"It helps to know what the parents are going through," Grimes-Hartley said.
Grimes-Hartley's daughters, Sunny Szymanski, 22, and Annie Grimes, 19, are enrolled in local colleges.
Szymanski is finishing up her final semester at Hood College, majoring in communications. She no longer receives a scholarship from the organization because she got married in December.
Grimes continues to receive a scholarship as she attends Frederick Community College majoring in general studies. She plans to transfer to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and major in forensics.
Grimes-Hartley's duties will include attending board meetings and being involved with the community committee.
"This is a wonderful organization that gives," she said. "I wanted to be a part of that. I just want to give back."
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