The Florida 4-H State Executive Board is activating the 4-H Serves Florida project in response to Hurricane Helene. On September 26 Helene made landfall in Taylor County as a category 4 storm, causing catastrophic flooding and destruction along Florida’s Gulf Coast, across the Big Bend region and the southeastern United States. This is the third hurricane to make landfall in this area in just 13 months. Prior to Idalia in 2023, the last major storm to make landfall in Taylor County was in 1935.

As Florida prepares for the impacts of Hurricane Milton, the team will expand the efforts to direct supplies and support to impacted areas from both storms. For science-based information on how you can protect yourself, loved ones and property, visit disaster.ifas.ufl.edu.

Supply Drive

4-H members across the state are leading a drive for critical items to support families and communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.

Critical Items Requested

• non-perishable, ready to eat foods (peanut butter, snacks, etc.)
• water (gallon size preferred)
• hygiene products (shampoo, soap, toothpaste, etc.)
• cleaning supplies (gloves, masks, bleach, buckets, heavy duty trash bags)

Amazon Wishlist for deliveries to 4-H HQ

Confirmed Drop-Off Locations and Hours
M-F 9:00am-4:00pm unless otherwise stated

• Florida 4-H State Headquarters, UF/IFAS Straughn Center, 2142 Shealy Drive, Gainesville, FL
  • Online order deliveries accepted at this address
• Alachua Co. Extension Office, 22712 W Newberry Rd, Newberry, FL
• Baker Co. Extension Office, 1025 W. Macclenny Ave, Macclenny, FL, drop box available any time
• Broward Co. Extension Office, 3245 College Ave., Davie, FL
• Clay Co. Extension Office, 2463 SR 16 W, Green Cove Springs, FL
• Duval Co. Extension Office, 1010 N. McDuff Ave, Jacksonville, FL
• Flager Co. Extension Office, 150 Sawgrass Rd, Bunnell, FL
• Gadsden Co. Extension Office, 2140 W. Jefferson St. Quincy, FL
• Hamilton Co. Extension Office, 1143 US HWY 41 NW, Jasper, FL
• Leon Co. Extension Office, 615 E. Paul Russell Rd, Tallahassee, FL
• Marion Co. Extension Office, 2232 NE Jacksonville Rd, Ocala, FL
• Martin Co. Hobe Sound Farmers Market, 1425 SE Bridge Rd, Hobe Sound, FL
  • Farm Supply Drive (fencing, nails, animal feed, etc.)
• Nassau County Extension Offices
  • 85831 Miner Road, Yulee, FL
  • 543350 US HWY 1, Callahan, FL
• Union Co. Extension Office, 15120 SW 84th St, Lake Butler, FL
• St. Lucie Co. Extension Office, 8400 Picos Road Suite 101, Fort Pierce, FL
• Wakulla Co. Extension Office, 84 Cedar Ave, Crawfordville, FL click for additional hours
• Additional locations may be added; check with your local Extension Office and emergency response agencies for local opportunities to contribute.

Project Grants

Project grants of up to $400 are available through the Florida 4-H Foundation to help members, clubs and county programs repair, rebuild or replace 4-H projects impacted by natural disasters.

Charitable donations can be made online at: tinyurl.com/4Hserves. Checks payable to Florida 4-H Foundation may be mailed to PO BOX 110225, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Members, clubs and counties impacted by Helene can apply online: tinyurl.com/4Hservesapp

• Projects must be educational and for the benefit of enrolled Florida 4-H member(s).
• Initial application deadline is October 21, 2024, with award notifications made as funding is available.
  • Application will remain open and project grants awarded on a rolling basis as long as funds remain available.
• Total number of grants and amounts depend on total funds available.
• For questions contact grow4H@ifas.ufl.edu.

Lasting Impact

Through the 4-H Serves project, members have helped communities across the state in the wake of major hurricanes. More than $20,000 in supplies and grants have helped members and their communities clean up, rebuild and repair 4-H projects, provide feed for animals, and more after catastrophic damage.

The UF and Florida 4-H Foundations are registered 501c3 organizations supporting Florida 4-H. 4-H is the youth development program of the land-grant university and Cooperative Extension system. The program provides hands-on educational experiences for youth ages 5-18 to develop young people as individuals and responsible citizens. 4-H empowers youth to be leaders in their communities today and into the future. In Florida, 4-H is administered by UF/IFAS Extension and Florida A&M University.

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