Alabama 4-H’ers Enjoy Fellowship and Football at Auburn University’s Homecoming

Alabama 4-H’ers representing 38 of the state’s 67 counties enjoyed a day of fellowship, food and football as they celebrated 4-H Day at Auburn University’s homecoming.

More than 750 4-H’ers and adult volunteers attended 4-H Day, where they saw the Tigers defeat Tennessee Tech 35-3. Auburn’s Athletic Department donated tickets to 4-H’ers and adult volunteers to support the state’s largest youth development organization.

As a service project and part of 4-H’s generosity component, 4-H’ers brought more than 840 pounds of food to donate to the Food Bank of East Alabama and collected $214.49 by asking participants to bring 19 cents to support World Hunger.

“This is one of the largest, if not the largest, turnouts for a 4-H event in Alabama,” said Lamar Nichols, assistant director for 4-H and Youth Development with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
“We are thankful for the generosity of Auburn University Athletics and other sponsors who made the day successful.

“For many of our 4-H’ers this was the first time they have attended a sporting event at a major college, and they enjoyed the experience to the fullest,” he said. “They also had a great time fellowshipping and making friends with 4-H’ers from around the state.”

The event was coordinated by Extension 4-H employees and members of the Alabama Association of Extension 4-H Agents.

4-H’ers gathered at the Red Barn Pavilion at Ag Heritage Park, provided by AU’s College of Agriculture, and were fed barbeque, listened to a deejay and fellowshipped with other 4-H’ers across the state. In addition, Dr. Ron Montgomery of AU’s College of Veterinary Medicine brought a red-tail hawk from the college’s Southeastern Raptor Rehabilitation Center.

Alabama 4-H is the largest youth development organization in the state with more than 50,000 active members. It will celebrate its centennial in 2009.

The mission of 4-H is to teach leadership, citizenship and character values. Through a variety of programs, young people discover their own talents, learn to think critically, build relationships and develop a concern for their community and world.

For more information about becoming a 4-H’er or adult volunteer, go to www.Alabama4H.com, or contact your county Extension office.

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Posted by dreynold at November 7, 2007 10:11 AM | TrackBack