Raise your hand to support 4-H youth and families

BROOKINGS — 4-H, the largest youth development program in the nation, is calling on alumni and supporters to raise their hands to help bring 4-H to 10 million youth by 2025. Currently 4-H empowers nearly 6 million young people in every county across America, including more than 9,000 4-H’ers in South Dakota.

States with the most raised hands, have the opportunity to earn monetary awards up to $20,000.

“Having experienced our programs first-hand, our alumni know best what a positive impact 4-H had on them growing up, which is why we’re reaching out to them to support the next generation of true leaders in South Dakota,” said Donna Bittiker, SDSU Extension State 4-H Program director.

For more than 100 years, the 4-H impact on young people has been immeasurable.

“Whether they’re running Fortune 100 companies, performing to sold-out crowds, leading community programs or volunteering to empower local youth, 4-H alumni are the epitome of true leadership,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, National 4-H Council. “Our alumni and supporters across the country now have the perfect opportunity to support 4-H youth in their communities, ensuring that the next generation has the opportunity to benefit from the 4-H experience.”

As part of the Raise Your Hand campaign, which runs April 1 to May 15, 4-H is asking supporters in South Dakota to ‘Raise Your Hand’ to help kids in our community by providing the hands-on learning that only 4-H provides.

Joining is easy — alumni can go online to www.4-H.org/RaiseYourHand and fill in their details. Raising your hand is a vote towards a $20,000, $10,000 or $5,000 award for the states with the most hands raised. Help South Dakota be one of the winning states, vote now.

“4-H gives kids the opportunity to learn by doing, to grow from not only the encouragements brought by success, but also through challenges and failures, as these skills will help them to handle whatever life may throw their way,” explained Jennifer Nettles, Grammy-award winning musician, actress and 4-H national alumni spokesperson.

Visit www.4-H.org/RaiseYourHand.