EDITOR'S NOTE: There will be a news conference at 11:00 a.m. Oct.
7 at the State Fair, near the rocket. 

DATE:     10/1/99     
CONTACTS: Toni Pipkins, (803) 534-6280; 
          Betty McGregor, (803) 776-2712
WRITER:   Giles Singleton, (864) 656-3876; gsngltn@clemson.edu

4-H Teens and Family and Community Leaders Help Orphans, Refugees 

     COLUMBIA --  Generous, warm-hearted teens -- the kind who
rescue babies from burning buildings and walk elderly people
across streets -- rarely make the news these days. But they still
exist, especially in South Carolina.
     4-H teens in S.C. are sending 3,000 new pairs of tennis
shoes to help Romanian orphans and Kosovo refugees be warmer this
winter. To achieve this goal, they partnered with S.C. Family and
Community Leaders (FCL) in a project called "Warm Hearts for Cold
Feet." Together the two Clemson Extension-sponsored groups
gathered the shoes. 
     "Through this global community service, our South Carolina
4-H'ers are realizing youth can be a positive force in the
world," said Toni Pipkins, state 4-H program coordinator.
     On a spring trip to Romania, Marvin Bozard, a former 4-H'er
and a Clemson graduate, saw the need for shoes. Bozard is doing a
year of mission work. When he returned to his home in Orangeburg,
he shared the news with Pipkins, and she suggested offering the
opportunity to 4-H and FCL. 
     Thanks to another former 4-H'er, John Spears, United Parcel
Service (UPS) has joined the partnership. Spears is UPS business
manager for the S.C. district. UPS will pack the shoes sent from
Clemson University Cooperative Extension county offices for
international travel, at no cost.
     The shoes, loaded and packed, will be on display at a news
conference Oct.7. Afterward, UPS will send them to Pennsylvania
for overseas shipping, also at no cost.
     "This project has been one of the best service projects
we've done," said Ashleigh Baun, state 4-H president.
     A news conference will be at 11 a.m. on Oct. 7 near the
rocket at the State Fair on Rosewood Drive. Gary Goodman, the
manager of the State Fair, the 4-H state teen council, Marvin
Bozard and Betty McGregor, state president of FCL, will be
available.
     "I've been really impressed with the large, quick response
from the FCL members," said Betty McGregor, state president of
FCL. FCL volunteers in all 46 counties meet to share Extension
information and leadership training. They work to improve the
quality of life in their communities, counties, the state and in
other nations.
                                END