| Submitted by Diana Bailey
Across the country, National 4-H Week 2004 is being celebrated Oct 3-9 to provide recognition to the 7 million youth, ages 5 to 19, participating in 4-H Youth Development experiences. In West Virginia, more than 56,000 young people participate in 4-H, which is a program of the WVU Extension Service.
Pledging their hands to larger service is a key component to the 4-H philosophy of learning by doing. According to a two-year study in New York state, young people who participate in 4-H clubs do better in school than nonmembers; are motivated to help others; develop skills in leadership, public speaking, self-esteem, communication, and planning; and make lasting friendships.
Calhoun County 4-H'ers wrapped presents for Community Resources, Inc., Angel Tree project, sang Christmas carols to patients at Minnie Hamilton Health Care Center, volunteer for Energy Express one-on-one reading, and many other community service projects. They also participated in Up-All-Night, Ski Trip, Poinsettia plant sale, Frozen Food-Fall and Spring Sales, County 4-H camp, 4-H Projects and Posters this year. County 4-H members pledge their head, heart, hands, and health toward improving their communities and themselves.
4-H volunteers in Calhoun County make possible the 4-H community clubs, 4-H camp and 4-H Shooting Sports. Volunteers come from all age levels and many of them though not all, are 4-H alumni who wish to give back to the organization that they benefited from. They come from a wide array of economic situations and backgrounds and share the common interest of youth development. Anyone interested in volunteering to assist with county 4-H youth development program should contact the Extension office, 354-6332.
The Calhoun Bank has donated the main window space this year for our "Best of Show" project. It is a rag quilt sewed by Sarah Postalwait. Attorney, Tony Morgan has donated his window space for our 4-H Poster Contest. Please come and see them next week, they will be there all week.
Programs and activities offered by the West Virginia University Extension Service are available to all persons without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, sexual orientation or national origin. Community club meetings are posted outside the Extension Office.
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