4-H News:

4-H Tsunami Relief Fund

The following letter is being distributed throughout the 4-H system:

The 4-H Tsunami Relief Fund has been created at the request of numerous 4-H members, volunteers and leaders as a nationwide 4-H program appeal for volunteer monetary donations. The 4-H tsunami relief fund has been established through a combined effort of the 4-H International Programs Committee, the International 4-H Youth Exchange Association of the USA (IFYE), the IFYE Foundation and the National 4-H Council.

The fund will be managed by the National 4-H Council with 100 percent of all donations directed to relief efforts in an attempt to ease suffering, aid recovery and minimize displacement of those affected by the devastating tsunami in December 2004.

The funds will be designated to an international relief organization chosen by the youth of 4-H through an online poll at the interactive website, 4HUSA.ORG (www.4husa.org). The poll question is:

4-H donations for tsunami relief should be given to:

Project Hope
Save the Children
UNICEF

Credit Card contributions may be made over the telephone by calling the National 4-H Council at 1-301-961-2817 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. EDT.

Clubs, volunteers, parents, agents, staff, etc. can send checks written to National 4-H Council (tsunami relief fund) directly to:

National 4-H Council
Attn: Tsunami Relief Fund
7100 Connecticut Ave.
Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Contributions will be accepted through Monday, February 21, 2005. All funds collected will be distributed to the relief agency chosen by the youth of 4-H.

Thank you for helping in this very important relief effort.

Sincerely,

Patreese Ingram, Chair
4-H International Program Committee

David J. White, President
IFYE Association of the USA

Norm Bauer, President
IFYE Foundation

Don Floyd, President & CEO
National 4-H Council

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4HUSA.ORG Bigger and Better Than Ever

The 4HUSA.ORG Web Crew continues to add great features to the 4HUSA.ORG site a web site for, by and about 4-H youth.

Serving as an interactive online community for 4-H's seven million young people, 4HUSA.ORG is expanding with new services daily. The latest additions include a Groundhog Day e-card. Look for a Valentine's Day e-card to send to friends and family in the near future. The Groundhog Day e-card was a result of an online collaboration of Web Crew members in five states. Jess Falkenthal of Ohio, Byron Hulcher of Maryland, Nicole Batten of Georgia, Hayley Trahan-Liptak of Massachusetts, Emily Pumpkin Cox of Indiana and Elizabeth Juers of New York brought their individual talents to the table to create the second of many planned future e-cards to send greetings from 4HUSA.ORG.

Registered users of 4HUSA.ORG can get their own e-mail aliases, participate in message boards, create their own blogs and upload 4-H related photos to the photo gallery. More interactive features continue to be added, so visit often.

Become a registered user at www.4husa.org today and join the online interactive fun.


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National 4-H Council Looking for Winning Photos

National 4-H Council is looking for winning photos from your state and county fairs (2000 - 2004) to create the 2007 4-H Calendar.

Thirteen photographs will be selected. These original photographs will be gallery mounted and framed. A brass plate will be engraved with the photographer's name and attached to the photo. The winning photos will be on display at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center from September to November 2005 as well as being posted on the 4-H Mall web site. For contest rules and other information click here.

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West Side 4-H Club Sends Treats to Soldiers

(Greers Ferry, AR) Members of the West Side 4-H Club gathered together to prepare a "sweet" message of love and hope to send to soldiers in Iraq. At their last club meeting, the West Side 4-H Club had a great time as they made cookies and other treats to mail overseas.

The club members are from West Side Public School in Greers Ferry, AR. The West Side 4-H Club is the largest organization in the state that participates in the Friends of Our Troops Program. The club sends cards and letters each Christmas and Valentine's Day to the North Carolina-based Friends of Our Troops Organization. The organization then separates the letters and sends them to American service personnel stationed all over the world.

A letter from the Christmas mailing in December 2004 reached Staff Sergeant Kenneth Cornell with the First Infantry Division stationed in Iraq. "I wish you could see them [platoon members] fighting over who would get to read the card first!" SSG Cornell responded. The letter was placed in a prominent place for all to enjoy, he added.

SSG Cornell thanked the 4-H club members for their patriotic wishes and earnest prayers for keeping his soldiers' spirits up and hearts open. "I hope your beautiful city of Greers Ferry will always remember the freedoms its sons and daughters have made sacrifices for," said Cornell.

In a post script at the bottom of Cornell's letter, he had a special request of West Side 4-H Club members: "My soldiers (30) crave any kind of cookies and candy. If you have time to send them anything, I (they) would be eternally grateful."

The West Side 4-H Club members were eager to comply with his request. Several boxes of candy and cookies were made on January 24, 2005, and are now on the way to Iraq. The 4-H Club members hope that these homemade treats will, in a small way, help to express their appreciation to those who are making sacrifices for our country.

West Side 4-H members Melissa Hendrickson, Keeleigh Davis, Josh Maez, and Michael Prislovsky prepare a batch of cookies for the oven.

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4-H CCS Searches for 4-H Youth Cartoonist

The The National 4-H Cooperative Curriculum System (4-H CCS) is searching for a 4-H youth cartoonist to illustrate the new "Computer Power Unlimited" series of activity books. The winner of this contest receives $1000 and the opportunity to illustrate the 4-H CCS CPU activity guides.

To enter, please send:
your sketches of a diverse team of "Ubergeeks." Each character should be represented by a front view and two side views.
a sample of some of your previous work.

Send submissions by Feb. 18, 2005, to:

Michael Wallace
Washington State University Extension
306 South 1st Street
Mount Vernon, WA 98273

or e-mail sketches to mwallace@co.skagit.wa.us.

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NEAFCS Requests Research/Program Paper Submissions

The National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) publishes a refereed journal annually. Research and program papers are now being accepted until May 1, 2005 for April 2006 publication.

The theme is family and consumer sciences and youth, youth development or other youth-related topics. To obtain submission requirements, please contact the editor, Jan Scholl at jscholl@psu.edu.

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Enter Honey Bees 4-H Essay Contest

The Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees, Inc. is hosting an essay contest for active 4-H youth. The deadline is March 1, 2005. For more information or to download the application, click here. All entries must be submitted to your state 4-H office first. Winners will receive monetary prizes.

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Resources and Opportunities:

National Collaboration for Youth Announces Web Portal

The National Collaboration for Youth (NCY) announces a new web portal to "Because of Winn Dixie...Because of You." The website is based on the Newberry Award-winning children's novel and soon to be major motion picture, "Because of Winn Dixie."

NCY has partnered with producers of the movie to bring you items such as an activity guide, message board and other useful resources. Discounted books are also available to 4-H members. Click here for more information.

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USDA Releases 2005 Dietary Guidelines

Every five years, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) joins with the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to produce the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The 2005 edition was released to the public on Jan. 11, 2005 and is available to view by clicking here. All Americans, two years and older, can use these guidelines to learn more about good dietary habits and how proper eating can promote health and reduce risk for major chronic diseases.

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Enter for Chance to Win Starter Polypay Sheep Flock

The American Polypay Sheep Association is conducting an award program for youth between 8-19 years old. The youth must be active in 4-H or FFA. The winner will receive a free Polypay starter flock. The deadline is February 15, 2005. For more information or to download the application, click here.

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America's Youth Are Worth Celebrating!

The National Clearinghouse on Families & Youth (NCFY) announces the release of a new publication: Celebrating America's Youth. Click here to view this and many other NCFY publications.

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Recipes Available From the American Institute for Cancer Research

The American Institute for Cancer Research is offering a variety of recipes available on their website. Their newsletters and recipes are available for download by clicking here.

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Youth in Governance/Literacy Education Grants Deadline Extended

National 4-H Council is accepting applications for the National 4-H Youth in Governance/Literacy Education Grant Program, which provides community action grants from $500 to $2,000 to stimulate literacy education nationwide.

Grants will be awarded to 4 H/Extension groups to promote new and creative youth-led literacy education programs or support ongoing literacy programs. Proposals will address the program goals and outcomes listed in the application form and will include a community-based collaborative effort. By involving partners beyond the group submitting the request, community engagement and impact will be broadened. Proposals will provide a detailed budget showing 100 percent matching funds to the grant award they receive from National 4-H Council.

The National Institute of Childhood Health and Development reported in 2000 that almost 10 million children in the United States have significant trouble learning to read. Between 10 percent and 15 percent of these 10 million will drop out of high school, and only two percent will complete a four-year college program. In addition, many Americans reach adulthood with low-level reading skills, affecting their performance of basic tasks such as applying for a driver's license, filling out a job application, or reading directions for operating equipment.

The National 4-H Youth in Governance/Literacy Education Grant Program enables youth and adults to partner in addressing literacy issues critical to their lives, families and communities. The Bridgestone/Firestone Trust Fund and the Firestone Agricultural Tire Company, in partnership with National 4-H Council, make a direct impact at the grassroots level, where youth affect change. Youth identify needs within their communities and design solutions that utilize community resources. They create program models, which may be replicated by other community groups in addressing literacy education needs.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. EST Friday, Feb. 11, 2005, and program implementation should be completed by Oct. 7, 2005.

Youth must take the lead in decision-making, design and implementation of the proposed program and a youth older than 14 but young than 21 must serve as one of two primary contacts for the grant application.

For full information, including the application, click here or contact Wawa Ngenge (301-961-2858).

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