This weekend, hundreds of Florida 4-H youth are taking a stand against cancer by distributing chemo kits to cancer patients. Our 4-Hers are joining millions of others around the globe who are celebrating Global Youth Service Day during the weekend of April 21-23.
This youth-led initiative was spear-headed by Danielle Tinker, a 4-Her from Escambia County. She and a committee of youth from across the Florida panhandle collected nearly 1,000 items for chemo kits, organized them, and packaged them with a handwritten note of encouragement. One of the “H’s” in 4-H stands for “hands to larger service” and is a cornerstone of the 4-H positive youth development experience. Because of programs like this, 4-Hers are 4X more likely to give back to their communities.
Regional Specialized 4-H Agent Heather Kent shares, “It has been a honor to support these youth in this project- they continue to amaze me! I don’t know of a family that has not been touched by cancer and I can’t think of a more relevant cause to support. This project has help our group grow compassion, and has helped the cancer patients grow courage!”
This project would not have been possible without the support of Youth Service America, State Farm and Farm Credit of Northwest Florida. Farm Credit of Northwest Florida not only supported this project monetarily, but their employees also collected and donated items for the chemo kits. This weekend marks the culmination of this project during Global Youth Service Day. Global Youth Service Day recognizes the positive impact that young people have on their communities 365 days a year. GYSD is celebrated in more than 135 countries with youth-led service projects and community events and is the largest service event in the world.
“We know that young people are uniquely suited to help solve problems – if given the opportunity,” said Steven A. Culbertson, CEO and president of YSA (Youth Service America), the leader of GYSD. “Today’s social and environmental problems are immense; we need youth in Florida to be leaders and problem solvers today, not just the leaders of a distant tomorrow.”
4-H is the nation’s largest youth development organization. Over 230,000 members in the State of Florida help to make up the community of more than 6.5 million young people across America. 4-H is a non-formal, practical educational program for youth and is the youth development program of Florida Extension, a part of the University of Florida IFAS. To find out more information, or how to get involved, visit http://florida4h.org or contact your local UF IFAS County Extension Office.
Learn more and browse GYSD activities around the world on the GYSD Map at www.GYSD.org.
Connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/youthserviceamerica and on Twitter @YouthService and #GYSD.
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