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York County 4-H'er Gives Back To Her Community
| Name | Margie Sippel | | Situation | The 4-H Youth Development program is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. The South Carolina 4-H Youth Development Program uses a learn-by-doing approach, the involvement of caring adults, and the knowledge and resources of
Clemson University and the land grant university system to empower youths to become healthy, productive and contributing members of society. | | Response | The York County 4-H Program offers many opportunities to young people to develop leadership, citizenship and life skills. We offer individual projects, 4-H clubs, short term classes, educational day camps and school enrichment programs. A strong group of dedicated volunteers work with the Extension staff to help 4-H-ers meet their goals in project work,
citizenship and to develop leadership skills. Many 4-H teen leaders are very active in this county working to develop their own leadership skill and helping others in their community.
Seventeen-year-old 4-H'er Laura Deas wanted to give back to her community and is a good example of how 4-H can make a impact on today's teens. She decided to help the local York County Crisis Pregnancy Center through her 4-H citizenship/leadership project.
Deas started in September of last year asking for donations of baby items from 4-H clubs, her church and other organizations. She now has a room full of baby items that she plans to place in baskets and donate to the Crisis Pregnancy Center within the next month. At her request, Deas' 4-H
sewing club is now sewing blankets for the center.
The Crisis Pregnancy Center is a non-profit agency offering compassionate peer counseling and assistance to women, teens, and parents -- prepared or unprepared for pregnancy. All services are provided free of charge.
Deas, a homeschooler, also plans to help spruce up the center soon by painting two of its rooms.
| | Impact | Being a 4-H'er for eight years has taught Deas to not only give something to her community but has also helped her gain self confidence and become a teen leader.
"My livestock teachers will tell you when I first started 4-H, I was so
shy I would not say a word in class, but now I can teach the class," said Deas. "I also talk to groups of people about livestock, which I love to do."
She's also involved in many other 4-H projects such as livestock judging, dairy heifer project, sewing club, supper club and other livestock projects. Deas is now a teen leader helping younger 4-H members learn to judge. |
Last update7/9/2008
This website is maintained by Cheryl Clary.
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