4-H A Good Investment

I just filled my gas tank up and nearly cried. Each time I turn on the news, I am bombarded with debates on recession and depression, bailouts and failures. Every time I turn my head to one side or another, there is something in the headlines about a youth who made a wrong decision or a series of wrong decisions and is now behind bars and will probably be there for life.

After all of that, I turn completely around and look at the youth in this county who are involved in 4-H, and I smile. I smile because here they are having fun; they are in a safe and nurturing environment and learning. Each time they figure out a concept, like how electricity runs through a circuit; each time they finish a community service project; each time they figure out that they can make a difference, they smile. That smile is contagious, and it makes me smile. If a child, who is grinning from ear to ear because they just figured out something on their own, can't make you smile, stop reading now, because this celebration isn't for you.

We have an abundance of things to celebrate in 4-H. Yes, even with the way the economy is, or should I say especially because of the way it is, we should find reasons and positive things to celebrate. October 5-11 is National 4-H Week. Our county commissioners have graciously declared it 4-H week here in Robeson County. Why? Maybe it is because they know we touched the lives of more than 3,700 youth between the ages of 5 and 19 last year alone. These youth learned and demonstrated leadership skills and goal setting, and they made public speeches and presentations. These 4-H'ers gave back to their community by making kits for victims of the Rape Crisis Center; they got up and lead a countywide meeting; they started a recycling project; and they made a positive difference in these and many other ways. They didn't make headlines when they won gold for a presentation or wowed the crowd with their public speech, but this week, we will celebrate them and their accomplishments.

However, it's not just our 4-H members we are celebrating this week. We are also celebrating our 4-H adults, our parents, and our volunteers who make this all possible. Over the last nine months, our volunteers have raised money to send kids to 4-H camp, got on their hands and knees to teach them how to use a hammer and build something, and stood out in 100-degree weather to cook hamburgers and hot dogs for youth events. Our volunteers have taken their time to receive training, filled out endless forms, and donated their time to make a difference in these children's lives. They have opened up their homes for club meetings, stayed up late fixing spelling errors on presentation posters, and taken time off of work to travel to District Activity Day and 4-H Congress to give moral support, hugs, and praise. They do not get paid, or should I say they do not receive money for what they do; they do get paid in smiles, hugs, and seeing the achievements of these youth. It takes a special person to be a 4-H volunteer, and we are fortunate that we have so many volunteers who give so much of themselves, and they deserve to be celebrated during National 4-H Week.

In Robeson County, 4-H also celebrates United Way this week. United Way provides 100 percent of our programming dollars. The money goes directly to our youth (not salaries, benefits, or copy paper). The money allows us to provide programming for our youth year-round. It helps us provide curriculum in the classroom, such as second grade embryology where youth get a chance to see eggs hatch into chicks and learn about life cycles and third grade soil solutions where youth get to play in dirt and learn the importance of soil. This money allows us to provide camping opportunities for youth whose families could not otherwise afford to send them to camp. It allows us to conduct a College Prep Program for youth in ninth through eleventh grades to encourage them to stay in school and continue on to college. United Way dollars are an investment in our youth and the future of our community, and for that, we celebrate them and all those who give as well.

I keep talking about celebrations, but how are we celebrating? Come out to the Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair next week and take a look around. There will be club displays, animal science projects and shows, youth activities, and 4-H members in the information booth who are part of the Junior Fair Board. We are celebrating our youth by highlighting what they do, their projects, their clubs, and their leadership skills. Walk up and shake their hand and talk with them; they just might impress you.

Not far away from a 4-H member, you will probably see a 4-H volunteer, parent, or 4-H staff member. Feel free to ask them about 4-H. You won't be able to miss the tone of voice -- it is pride -- when they talk about the 4-H members. Although "thank you" seems inadequate and too infrequent for these folks, that seems to be the greatest gift we can give them and is like fuel propelling them forward to the next event. So if you feel compelled, say "thank you;" it will mean the world to them.

We started this column talking about money . . . and my point so many thoughts later (and with a smile on my face) is no matter how bad the economy is, no matter what they say on the news, there is a safe investment in your future and in our county and that is investing in our youth. It might not be an investment of cash; it may be an investment of your time. And that investment is positive and priceless.

For more information on 4-H and how you can invest in Robeson County youth, contact Shea Ann DeJarnette, Cooperative Extension 4-H agent, at 910-671-3276 or Shea_Ann_DeJarnette@ncsu.edu.