Helping Hands

Dear North Carolina 4-H Family and Friends,

We hope this message finds you safe and well. 

We are deeply moved by the overwhelming support and love we have received from across the nation. As we navigate the path to recovery in the wake of the recent devastation in our mountains, we understand that the journey ahead will be challenging. The winds may have destroyed homes, and the waters may have washed away the familiar, but amidst this chaos, we also witness the remarkable strength of a community united by a spirit that no storm can extinguish.

In times of darkness, communities like ours have shown time and time again that they can rise from the ashes of tragedy. We are more than the damage that’s been done. We are children's laughter, the hands that help one another, and the deep ties that connect families, neighbors, and friends. The heart of Western Carolina beats strong, and though the path may be long, it is in the process of rebuilding that true strength will emerge.

So many have asked how best to help, so we have compiled a list of potential opportunities. Please consider contributing to one or both of these efforts, and let this be a moment to remind each other that no storm is stronger than the human spirit.  Please visit our Helpful Hands, Healing Hearts Website for ways to participate. 

• 4-H Clover Care Packages

• The NC 4-H team suggests that adoption states, county teams, 4-H clubs, families, or individuals create and donate youth activity kits. These kits will provide opportunities for youth to be creative and engage in activities that provide distraction and a time for processing emotions through coloring, writing, or other means of active expression. Western NC counties have indicated their needs and capacity at this time, on the signup. Our sign-up will be updated monthly as needs change, so please check back often. Items we recommend, including in the kits now, are: 

• Coloring books & crayons/colored pencils: To encourage creativity and help them express their feelings.

• Winter clothing items: gloves, hats, scarves, coats, etc. 

• Blank notebooks or journals: For drawing, writing, or journaling to cope with emotions.

• Stickers: Fun and easy to use, adding a playful element to their creativity.

• Stuffed animals or plush toys: For emotional comfort.

• Small blankets: Cozy and comforting, providing a sense of security.

• Handmade cards or notes: Personal messages of hope and encouragement from others.

• Puzzle books: Simple crosswords, word searches, or mazes for distraction and mental engagement.

• Card games: Compact and easy-to-learn games like UNO or Go Fish.

• Travel-sized board games: For fun, easy-to-carry games that others can share.

• STEM activity kits: Simple science or engineering activities to stimulate curiosity.

• Bubbles: Easy to play with and lighthearted fun for children of all ages.

• Jump ropes: For physical activity and a way to burn off energy.

• Sidewalk chalk: To encourage outdoor play and creativity.

• Stress balls: To help manage anxiety and stress.

• Mindfulness or relaxation cards: Simple breathing exercises or calming activities.

• Storybooks: Positive, uplifting stories to distract and entertain.

• Toiletries: Small toothbrush kits, combs, and soap—practical items that may be missing.

• Reusable water bottles: Keeping hydrated while also providing something personal.

• Snacks: Non-perishable, kid-friendly snacks like granola bars or fruit snacks.

• Photos or messages of hope from peers: To help them feel connected.

• Temporary tattoos or wristbands: Fun and cheerful, offering small but meaningful excitement.

• Youth Belong Program Monetary Donations

• Many NC 4-H Youth lost everything to this storm. They and their families will spend years recovering. Funding for normal enrichment and summer activities will be the last thing on their minds. However, the ability to stay connected to their 4-H family will be an essential part of their healing journey. We invite you to donate funds to help youth in Western North Carolina affected by the storm to attend 4-H programs that they will otherwise not be able to afford. 

• Both our NC 4-H Honor Club and NC Volunteer Leaders Association are taking the lead on this effort. Monetary donations can be made by check to either. 

• NC 4-H Honor Club / Checks Payable to:  NC 4-H Honor Club

• ATTN:  Shannon McCollum, 4-H Youth Dev. Specialist, Box 7655 NCSU, Raleigh, NC 27695-7655

• NC 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association / Checks Payable to:  NC 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association

• ATTN: Diane Sturges, NCVLA Financial Officer, 12156 NC Highway 125, Halifax, NC 27839-9525

• Send a Western youth to summer camp and 4-H Congress scholarships are available on the Signup Genius.

• Donations can be earmarked for specific impacted counties and their general fund -or- specific 4-H programs if desired. Simply list this on the memo line of your check or in the note section via the online payment system. Program Areas include: Teen Retreats, Overnight Summer Camp, 4-H Congress. Proceeds will benefit 4-H programs in the West district of North Carolina.   

Together, we can bring hope and relief to those in need. Thank you for your kindness and generosity during this challenging time.

Sincerely, 

The NC 4-H State Team

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National STEM Compeitition

 

Hey 4-H Members we're excited to announce that you can submit STEM projects to the 2025 National STEM Festival!  All youth in grades 7-132 in the US, District of Columbia, and US Territories are invited to participate. 

  Your submission must fit under one of 6 Festival Themes:  Aerospoace Innovation; Environmental Stewardship; Future Food; Health and Medicine; Powering the Planet; or Tech for Good.  To learn more about the different themes and projects please go to:  https://www.nationalstemfestival.com/themes 

   Up to 130 winners will earn a free trip to Washington DC to attend the National STEM Festival and present their projects in March of 2025.   Deadline to enter is October 20th.  To Submit an entry please go to:  https://form.typeform.com/to/F304fok2?typeform-source=www.nationalstemfestival.com

Family Holiday Crafting 4-H SPIN Club

 

This club is for all currently active member in 4-H (actively enrolled in 4-H Online) and their families. We will meet three times and work on a craft each time and learn the value of crafting, as well as the entrepreneurial side of creating your own business. Each meeting will be at the NC Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center office at 455 Caton Road in Lumberton. We will meet starting at 6 pm and wind up by 8 pm at the latest. Please see the dates and crafting projects below. Each project is designed to be completed during the club meeting and a list will be provided of supplies if you would like to continue these projects at home.

By registering you are registering for all three craft club meetings. Please register each member of the family that will be attending. If you can not attend a meeting we will have supplies for you to pick up and a video tutorial to try at home.

Thursday, November 7- Diamond Art-there is nothing like the sparkle to diamond art. Come make your own holiday themed magic creations and enjoy crafting time with other families.

Thursday, November 14-Up Cycle Ornaments. We will have some fun making holiday ornaments and decor out of some everyday items.

Tuesday, November 21- Butter makes Everything Better, even at the Holidays. Learn about the craft of making butters and bread. Who can resist fresh baked bread and some very cool butter to go with it as a gift for the holidays?

You can register via the app or by clicking on this link....

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/family-holiday-crafting-4-h-spin-club-tickets-1045017063167?aff=oddtdtcreator

Picking In The Pines

 

You're invited to the 2024 fundraiser and celebration Pickin in the Pines at Millstone 4-H Camp on October 19 from 3 to 8 pm!  Don't miss all the fun, BBQ and Bluegrass at this year's Pickin in the Pines event at Millstone 4-H Camp. We are proud to say that, with your help, we have raised funding to send 100+ youth in need to camp since this fundraiser started in 2018 and we want to keep the momentum going.  Join us for a magical evening of food, music, drinks, dance, and friendly gathering in the Pines!  Headlining the event are the fun and wicked-fast Bluegrass sensations The Po' Ramblin Boys, with local entertainment from Bluegrass group The Axe Handlers.  Your $50 event ticket includes a BBQ meal, beer/wine for the evening and entertainment from these two first-class Bluegrass acts. You'll find many unique pieces donated by craftsmen and foundations all across North Carolina on sale at our silent auction. Don't miss out on all the fun, food and Bluegrass!  Again this year! The event will feature an open Bluegrass jam starting at 3pm. BYOinstrument and join the musical fun. All levels welcome.  Can't make the event? You can still support Millstone with a donation or by becoming a sponsor here.

A Breath of Fresh Fair

    The following article was written for the Robesonian by our own Shea Ann DeJarnette, 4-H Extension Agent. 

    Fall is in the air. You can tell when you take a deep breath of this cool, crisp, fresh fair…I mean air, or do I? “A Breath of Fresh Fair” is the theme for this year’s Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair, which opens on September 27 and runs through October 5. That’s right, nine days of food, rides, and family fun. Nine days of new entertainment, new competitions, and fresh looks all over the fairgrounds.

    The first thing you might notice is our new look. Our theme comes with a new design featuring our new entertainment, rides, agricultural roots, and food. No other fair can highlight collard sandwiches like we can. After all, this is where this food favorite got its start.

    We are excited to announce an entirely new lineup of professional and local talent to our schedule. From The High-Flying Pages to MythiCreatures, and welcoming back Lew-E’s Comedy Circus, this family-friendly grouping will have you glued to your seat, laughing, and learning all at one time. We are also excited to welcome Rob Cole from The Voice with special guest Anna Grace Hunt from American Idol, kicking off our local entertainment schedule. We have groups such as Antique Outlaws, Carolina the Band, and tons more available for no more than the cost of admission to the fair. Let’s not forget the favorite local gospel groups, dance groups, and local artisans who will be demonstrating how they create their amazing art work.

    We will have competitions available only at the fair on a daily basis. Things like the Chicken Pickin’ Contest, ChainSaw Competition, Diaper Derby, and so much more. So many of the competitions are open to the public to compete in and others are free to watch. For example, the 4-H Animal Shows bring in youth from across the state to compete and see who is the best showman; raises the best market goat, heifer, sheep, rabbit, or chicken; or who has the best team judging poultry.

    Let’s not forget about the biggest competitions of all, home exhibits. This is where your school art, Lego builds, canning products, and more can be entered and judged (youth against youth and adults against adults). You can earn ribbons and premium money for your efforts. For most folks who take part, this is about the ribbons and bragging rights; imagine telling folks you have a blue-ribbon jelly or knitted a blue-ribbon afghan. That is so much fun, and not everyone can say that. To take part in this competition just bring your entries to the fairgrounds on Sunday, September 22, from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. or Monday-Wednesday, September 23-25, from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Let’s not forget, you can pre-register on Fair Entry at https://www.fairentry.com/Fair/SignIn/20948

    I know that sounds like a lot, but we haven’t even scratched the surface of the offerings at this year’s Robeson Regional Agricultural Fair. To check out the schedule of events, purchase tickets in advance, or see our specials, entertainment line up, and more, go to www.robesoncountyfair.com and plan your Breath of Fresh Fair.

    For more information, please contact Shea Ann DeJarnette, 4-H Youth Development Agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Robeson County Center, at 910-671-3276, by E-mail at Shea_Ann_DeJarnette@ncsu.edu, or visit our website at https://robeson.ces.ncsu.edu/. Shea Ann is also licensed by the Emily Post Institute as a child etiquette teacher.

4-H Volunteer Possible Educator of the Year

  We are so excited to announce that 4-H Volunteer Taleek Harlee is one of the 2024 finalists for First Bank's Out of this World Educator Award.  Please take a moment to vote for your top five finalists and their chance to win $5,000.

We need YOUR help picking our winners for 2024! View Email in Browser >

Help us pick our 2024 winners! View the 2024 Finalists

 

As a past winner of First Bank's Out of This World Educator Awards or Project Launch Contest, we want YOUR help in selecting the most-valued educators to join the ranks in 2024. You've seen firsthand the good that comes from being recognized as an outstanding educator and community partner and we would like you to be a part of our selection process this time around. Please complete the winner selection survey linked below to help pick out who you think are Out of This World Educators by Friday, September 13 at 6 PM. Complete the Winner Selection Survey

After the results are tallied, the winners will be invited to our awards celebration in Southern Pines on October 10 and be given $5,000 in recognition of their incredible efforts in education. More celebration details will be coming soon to your inbox so be sure to save the date  — we hope to see you there as well!

 

Connect with us Our local team is here to help.    Visit localfirstbank.com    Locate a branch near you    Contact us

A Call to Action from United Way

Call to Action from LRUW Board President Gary Locklear

Dear United Way supporter,   We are excited to share the incredible impact that the generosity of community members like you has made over the past year. This support has been instrumental in supporting fifteen partner agency programs, providing essential care to the uninsured, victims of domestic violence, and educational scholarships for children.   None of this would have been possible without our community's collective support and involvement with Lumber River United Way. We have made a significant impact together, and you are a vital part of this collective effort.   Consider the depth of your impact over the last year: ·        Thanks to your steadfast support, 20,460 meals were served to unhoused or those in need. ·        Due entirely to your generosity, 385 families were assisted with hotel and clothing vouchers after a home fire. ·        Your contribution has also enabled Lumber River United Way to provide shoes, winter coats, and basic needs to the over 400 homeless students in our service area. Visit LRUW's website to learn more about all fifteen partner agencies receiving funding and to view a list of United Way programs, such as the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and On The Spot feminine hygiene pads.     As we embark on Lumber River United Way’s 2024 Campaign, I invite you to join the over 5,000 annual donors, small businesses, manufacturing facilities, and foundations in making a difference in Bladen, Dillon, Hoke, and Robeson Counties. Your continued support is crucial in our mission to serve our community.   Again, thank you for your steadfast support of Lumber River United Way; we could not accomplish our goals without you.

Gary Locklear Board President