High school volunteer lands Miranda Lambert grant for Humane Society

When Miranda Lambert’s foundation offered grants for animal shelters, more than 14,000 volunteers applied.

And a Sioux Falls high school student was among 15 whose entry won.

Samantha Kaltved, who is 17, stumbled onto the grant program online last year while studying for her semester tests. She can’t remember exactly what she wrote about the Sioux Falls Area Humane Society, but she’ll always remember what happened next.

Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation chose her nomination and awarded the Humane Society $1,000.

“I thought it was so cool that some nomination that took me a couple minutes could do something so big for the Humane Society,” she said.

Kaltved became connected with the animal shelter last summer after her mom said no to another cat but yes to volunteering there together.

“I love animals so much,” she said. “These poor animals don’t have a home and just want some attention.”

The Sioux Falls Area Humane Society has a decadelong relationship with Lambert, executive director Kori Baade said. When the country music star performed in Sioux Falls, the foundation did a pet food drive. It also has given grants in the past.

“This is different because our volunteer was the one who put our name in,” Baade said. “It was great.”

In a Facebook post, Lambert said a record number of volunteers stepped up to help shelters through her foundation.

“Last year was crazy, but your commitment to this cause and the value you provide to local shelters means so much to me – and the animals,” she wrote.