by Theresa Garee

A Grove City resident hopes her crown will shine a light on children whose parents experience substance misuse.

Brittney Putnam was crowned Miss Ohio Volunteer 2026 on Aug. 16, after serving as Miss Grove City. Over the next year, she will represent Ohio at numerous events leading up to the Miss Volunteer America national competition in June 2026 in Jackson, Tenn.

“This upcoming year is all about making the absolute most of the 365 days I’ve been given to serve. I plan to stay as busy as possible, maximizing every opportunity to connect with communities, amplify nonprofit organizations, advocate for my S.E.R.V.E. (Scholarship, Education, Responsibility, Volunteerism, and Empowerment) initiative, and represent Ohio on the road to Miss Volunteer America. I only get one year to wear this crown, and I want to leave it all on the table knowing I gave my best to the people of this state,” Putnam said.

Putnam moved to Grove City to attend The Ohio State University, where she studies human development and family science with a minor in substance misuse. After graduation, she hopes to attend law school.

“I hope to obtain my Juris Doctorate and work in the nonprofit sector of child advocacy law, ensuring that children impacted by difficult circumstances have a strong legal voice,” she said.

Her long-term goals include becoming a member of Congress to shape policies that protect families and strengthen communities. Her passion for advocacy stems from her own experiences: her parent, a government firefighter, struggled with substance misuse during her childhood.

Putnam’s platform, You’re Important Too: Advocating for Children and Families Affected by Substance Misuse, and her S.E.R.V.E. initiative are rooted in the belief that, “your circumstances don’t define you, they inspire you; no matter who, what, or where you come from, you are important too.”

She hopes to create a bridge between lived experience and community impact, “reminding others who have felt overlooked or underestimated that they, too, have value and purpose,” she said.

In addition to advancing her personal initiative, Putnam will also support the Salvation Army across Ohio and raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“The Salvation Army and St. Jude’s are the national partners of Miss Volunteer America, so uplifting them is an important part of representing the organization on both the state and national level. At the same time, I am deeply committed to substance misuse advocacy. I currently serve as an Operations Assistant with The Cardinal Crew, a nonprofit in Cleveland that supports families impacted by addiction. I also plan to work alongside The Salvation Army’s recovery housing program during my year of service,” Putnam said.

To follow Putnam’s journey, visit her Facebook page Miss Ohio Volunteer or go to www.missohiovolunteer.net

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