Rotating News Article
for: Week of
by: Vickie B. Mullins
Extension 4-H Agent
Area 4-H Clubs Receive Community Pride Grants
Five
4-H Clubs must complete a Community
Pride Grant Proposal for a project that members have determined to be a way to
improve their community. A state
selection committee reviews the grants and awards funds based upon criteria
including: impact on the community and
on 4-H members; level of engagement of youth involved in writing and performing
the activity; research into cost of supplies needed; educational value of the
project; investigation into other sources of funding or donations; possibility
of completing the project without Community Pride funding; and, number of youth
involved in the project.
The Community Pride Program
is more than a means to provide 4-H Clubs money for their projects. It is another one of the 4-H “Learn By Doing” programs. With assistance from Adult Volunteer Leaders,
Club members must develop and implement the project themselves.
As youth complete the
proposal and implement the project they develop valuable life skills such as
teamwork, organization, researching, collaborating, budgeting and communication. Youth must assess the needs of their
community, consider what they can do and how they can make a difference, and
then develop a plan of action and carry it through. In addition youth receive other educational
benefits as they gain knowledge and skills related to their specific project
4-H Community Pride projects are not limited
to any specific area or type and the projects are as imaginative and varied as
the youth themselves. This year
The Pace Heroes, a school
4-H Club of seven 5-8 year olds, will be landscaping an area of their new
building at SS Dixon Primary School.
The PAIR-Up 4-H Club, a
group of fifteen-twenty youth 5-15 years old, will provide opportunities for youth
at the Milton Housing project to take a weekly ballet and performing arts
class. The PAIR-Up Club plans to develop
programs that they will present at local nursing homes and their community.
The Starletts 4-H
Club, a group of six 13-16 year old members, is learning quilting and sewing
skills as they make a quilt. They plan
to sell the quilt and donate the proceeds to the Cancer Relay for Life.
The Junior River Sprites 4-H
Club, a group of five 10-12 year old members, is maintaining an aquarium at the Milton
Library. The aquarium serves as an
educational exhibit on ecology and aquatic life in our area.
The Senior River Sprites 4-H
Club, a group of five 15-17 year old members is creating a butterfly garden
using native plants at the Coastal and Aquatic Managed Areas State Office at
Garcon Point. They also plan to develop
a brochure about butterflies and the plants they used to provide education to
visitors and the public.
In addition to providing an
excellent opportunity for youth to “learn by doing” the Community Pride Program
provides opportunities for youth to become valuable resources and
citizens. The number of volunteer hours
that the youth will contribute and the project that they complete will add to
the quality of life for their and our communities.
These 4-H youth are to be
congratulated upon their interest and desire to help their communities and
encouraged in completing their Community Pride Project as they fulfill the 4-H
Motto “Make the Best Better.”
For more information about 4-H contact
Vickie B. Mullins, Santa Rosa County 4-H Coordinator, at 623-3868 or 939-1259,
Ext. 1360 (for south county residents).
4-H programs and activities in Santa Rosa County are open to boys and girls ages 5 to 18 regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex or handicap.