Getting into the 4-H Spirit

It might be before Thanksgiving but we have found anytime of the year is a good time to spread 4-H cheer. More than 50 members and volunteers did just that at the annual Lumberton Christmas Parade this year. Our 4-H members could be seen on a variety of the more than 100 entries in this year's parade. Some rode on church floats, others with school groups, two special 4-H members even represented 4-H on the United Way of Robeson County's first ever float. Dakota Strickland with Horsin' Around 4-H Club and Korina Pittman of Titans 4-H club represented the more than 6,000 youth that 4-H worked with thanks to the financial support of the United Way of Robeson County. Both donned Live United t-shirts and waved to crowds who gave them both supportive shout outs.

Libby Burney of the St. Paul's 4-H Pony club headed up the Christmas Parade committee this year and provided a trailer that was festively decorated and included a white Christmas tree with green garland and four leaf clover ornaments. Our youth and adults rode on the trailer and in the back of the pick up truck driven by volunteer Bob Cryer.

The clubs represented in the parade included the St. Paul's 4-H Pony Club, Horsin' Around 4-H Horse Clubs, the Dirty Rascals Junior Master Gardener 4-H Club, Spiritual Generations 4-H Club, Titans 4-H Club, Dirty Dozen 4-H Club, Young Leaders 4-H Club, Voices in Praise 4-H Club, and United We Stand 4-H Club. When we pulled up just before noon at the end of the parade route we secured the trailer and everyone headed home. Exhausted after spreading 4-H cheer which is good at anytime of the year.

Singing our Way to Health

It is amazing how the educational songs we learned in Kindergarten stay with you. In this case it is our ABC's and the Happy Birthday song. Both can help our youth become official germ busters and keep them healthy in school rather than sick and out of school.

I can tell you are singing your ABC's trying to remember how that might work. Well the message is not in the lyrics to the song rather the timing of it. The 4-H and EFNEP (Expanded Foods and Nutrition Education Program) staffs descended upon Rowland Norment School to help battle germs. Yes, those microscopic things that are rampant no matter where you are. However, in a school where little ones like to touch everything and everyone it makes the germ travel faster and easier than other settings. The four staff members went class to class to conduct glo-germ, a science experiment in which the students got to see the germs on their hands illuminated. Then the youth had the opportunity to go to the bathroom and wash their hands correctly (with soap and water, scrubbing for as long as it takes them to sing their ABC's or Happy Birthday, then rinsing the soap and germs away). When they returned we checked their hands to see how well they did.

Hand washing is one of the easiest and safest ways to kill the germs that could get our youth sick. By teaching them the appropriate way to do it and then empowering them to teach others we have noticed a 40% decrease in reported absenteeism's due to illness. This is a program that is usually conducted in connection with 4-H Embryology which takes place in the spring.

What Does it Take to Grow?

The students in the Community in Schools (CIS) Red Springs after school program answered that question Wednesday. They found humans and plants share many of the same answers. Plants need sunlight, food, water, and air to survive. Humans need all of the same things, but we happen to get them in different forms.

The youth did a recycling plant science project that tests the theory of all the things we need. Using knee high stockings, a little soil, and grass seed they made their own healthy project, a grass head. The project allows youth to not only learn about what it takes to grow, but recycle knee high stockings and express their own creativity.

This is part of a series of projects that we are doing with Red Springs middle after school students to teach them about Healthy living.

Thank You!

"Thank you, this is a blessing for so many." That was Helen Rogers's words as Sandy Locklear, a volunteer with her organization, and two Extension Staff members carried in box after box filled with the more than 300 pounds of canned goods and nonperishables that our 4-H members, parents, and volunteers donated as part of 4-H Youth Achievement night. Rogers could not stop smiling as she realized her empty food pantry shelves would not only be full when we got done, but overflowing.

Rogers is the director of His Little Ones, a pregnancy support group that helps mothers with the support they need for their babies. Thanks to donations from the public the group is able to offer mothers with financial needs necessities such as diapers, bottles, clothes, and even food. A recent church community service project brought the need of the organization to the attention of the 4-H Staff. With our 4-H Hungry to Help canned food drive looming on the horizon it seemed like a perfect fit for our 4-H members to help our future 4-Her's and their families.

4-H Hungry to Help is a state wide initiative to address the issue of hunger in our state. Although most people don't realize it, hunger effects one out of five people in the state of North Carolina. The 4-H Hungry to Help campaign was designed as a partnership with the area food banks to bring awareness to the issue of hunger in this state and allow our youth to practice being citizen leaders and address this issue right in their own communities. As we move forward over the next year or two the 4-H Hungry to Help initiative will play a large part in our community service projects and overall programs.

To learn more about 4-H Hungry to Help please check this site. Click here to educate yourself about hunger in America.

Community Service in their Sites

It was only a few hours after receiving their charter certificate and community service award that the Dirty Dozen Shooting Sports 4-H Club members hit the range and completed their community service project for this year.

The town of Fairmont allows the club to use their firing range for club meetings and shooting practice. This morning the club members went out and pulled weeds, policed brass, raked the burm and picked up trash trying to give back to the town and show that they care about maintaining this facility.

While the members were busy with their community service project the parents were busy with paperwork. Since this was the first meeting for the club in the new club year they were busy talking schedules, activities and making sure all the club paperwork was up to date.

After the project and cleaning the youth, parents and volunteers enjoyed a picnic with hamburgers off the grill (thanks to their club leader) and all the sides. The next meeting will be in December and will be a field trip to see legendary sharp shooter Tom Knapp at the Annie Oakley boom days.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!!!

I admit Christmas is not here yet, nor Thanksgiving, but this is the most wonderful time of the year for our Robeson County 4-H program. That is because this is when we celebrate our youth and their accomplishments in our 4-H program. Tonight marked our annual 4-H Youth Achievement Night.

The evening began with our Mistress of ceremonies, Staci Kinlaw. She has been a strong partner and supporter of our local 4-H program and worked with the Bladen County program as well. We were very excited that she could be with us this evening. Hazel Sumner, our Past President of the Robeson County 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association offered everyone an official welcome. While Michiko Hill of the Inspirational Youth Leaders 4-H Club and Christian Tice of the St. Paul's 4-H Pony club lead the pledges. Our Interim County Extension Director, Keith Walters recognized special guests and gave a very special thank you to our parents and volunteers who really support our youth in all that they do. Christopher Bullard of the Dirty Dozen Shooting Sports club delivered the Invocation for the event.

After dinner Mr. J. A. Bolton from Richmond County entertained our audience with stories. Mr. Bolton is a member of the Storytelling Arts Center of the Southeast. He provided an example of what our youth can do with their communication skills later in life. Everyone enjoyed his stories, and loud guffaws of laughter could be heard from outside the building.

Staci then presented the prestigious "I Dare You" leaders award. This national award given by The American Youth Foundation, goes to a teen who has shown exemplary achievement in the 4-H program. A person who has really taken on roles that will help improve themselves and help others rather than offer recognition for their work. This year the prestigious leadership award was given to Korina Pittman. She received a book on leadership, $35 check, and certificate from the American Youth Foundation.

But that was not all the special awards given. Our 4-H Agent presented a special award to three special teens. These three volunteered within the program to help with Summer Fun Programs, trainings, and other activities that other youth were not coming to help with. They worked hard, carried a great deal of responsibility and did it all with a smile on their face. This year the special teen leadership awards were given to Christopher Bullard, Korina Pittman, and Tierra Troy.

Missy McLean, the Volunteer Leaders' Association parliamentarian introduced our 2010-2011 County Council officers to the group. These officers were elected at our August County Council and Volunteer Leaders Meeting. Representing our youth this year are: Aljaquan Nixon, President; Christian Mcrae, President-Elect; Korina Pittman, Secretary-Treasurer; Christopher Bullard, Reporter; and Kristen Sealey, Sergeant-At-Arms.

Our 4-H Program Associate, Aggie Rogers gave out club charters and renewals to our clubs. Those recognized include, Spiritual Generations, Youth with a Purpose, the Dirty Dozen, Horsin' Around, and the St. Paul's 4-H Pony Club. Young Leaders and Dirty Rascals also received their charter renewals.

Shea Ann DeJarnette gave out club community service awards. These certificates were presented to the clubs that completed at least one community service project this year. Community service projects this year included a coat drive, rescuing a horse, trash pickup, planting at the Hospice House and much much more. Clubs receiving a community service certificate included; Titans, St. Paul's Pony Club, Dirty Rascals, Dirty Dozen, Young Leaders, Inspirational Youth Leaders, United we Stand, Voices in Praise and Horsin' Around.

Keith Walters presented the club of the year. This award is determined based on several criteria. This includes turning in club paperwork on time and the percentage of club members that take part in club, county, district and state events. This year the St. Paul's 4-H Pony Club walked away with the honor and a check for $100 for their club to continue their hard work.

Our district project record winners were then recognized for their accomplishments. Aggie Rogers presented the district winners with their checks. Maurice Rogers, Jasmine McBryde, Aljaquan Nixon, Amaria Rogers, and Jaylyn McNair got a special surprise when they received their prizes from the state 4-H office.

After our visual slide show it was time for the event of the night honoring our youth. Each of our youth who participated in club, county, district and or state events received a certificate listing all they have done, a 4-H calendar, 2011 tentative program calendar, and a 4-H duffel bag as a small gift to help celebrate their accomplishments. Each of our youth who participated received something tonight.

Thanks to our United Way Support we do not charge admission for this event instead we asked that each person bring a nonperishable food item when they come. This is all a part of the statewide 4-H "Hungry to Help" initiative. This year we turned the canned food drive into a contest with the club that had the most poundage receiving a special prize. The St. Paul's Pony Club took home the prize collecting a whopping amount of food that will go to needy families right here in our community. Stay tuned for the amount of food collected and how it will make a difference right here in Robeson County.