Everyday Hero Ani Hudgens has a simple message: Make sure you buckle up. Hudgens uses a puppet and classroom visits at local elementary schools to make sure that children get the message.
Hudgens, of Tampa, founded the Miss Buckle Up Princess Foundation after she was involved in a near-fatal car crash in 2010.
“On my way to work, a gentleman, a distracted driver, was talking on his cell phone and looking up an address on the console of his truck, and he veered into my lane,” Hudgens said.
The truck hit Hudgens' car, which went airborne, flipping several times.
“I suffered a traumatic brain injury resulting in seizures and profound hearing loss for the rest of my life," Hudgens said. "But, I am here today, able to do what I’m doing with the children because I was wearing my seatbelt."
Hudgens started visiting schools in 2013. She uses her puppet, Princess Becky Buckle Up, to teach children the importance of child seats and seat belts. To date, she has spoken to more than 30,000 students.