4-H pledges to re-engage millions of alumni to help grow 4-H
4-H, the largest youth development program in the nation, is calling on all alumni 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 220,000 4-H’ers in Missouri.
For more than 100 years, the 4-H impact on young people has been immeasurable. “Having experienced our programs firsthand, 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,” said Marla Tobin, chair of the Missouri 4-H Foundation.
“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 of the National 4-H Council. “Our remarkable alumni now have the perfect opportunity to pay it forward, ensuring that the next generation has the opportunity to benefit from the 4-H experience.”
As part of the Raise Your Hand call to action through June 30, 4-H is asking millions of alumni across the nation, including 4-H alums in Missouri, to “Raise Your Hand” and pay it forward in support of providing the hands-on learning that empowers kids across America.
Joining is easy: Alumni can go online to www.4-H.org/raiseyourhand and fill in their details. Raising a hand in this way is a vote toward a $20,000, $10,000 or $5,000 award for the states with the most alumni hands raised. Alumni can then support the activation by tweeting, posting and sharing their #4HGrown experience, or support and tag fellow alumni by asking them to raise their hands for their state.
“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 kids’ skills will help them to handle whatever life may throw their way,” explains Jennifer Nettles, Grammy Award-winning musician, actress and 4-H national spokesperson.
About Missouri 4-H
4-H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, grows confident young people who are empowered for life today and prepared for careers tomorrow. 4-H programs empower nearly 6 million young people across the U.S. through experiences that develop critical life skills.
University of Missouri Extension 4-H connects the technical knowledge of Mizzou to a community of more than 200,000 youths from across Missouri learning about the sciences, leadership, citizenship and skills for life. For more than 65 years, the Missouri 4-H Foundation has been managing funds for the MU Extension 4-H Youth Development Program, providing higher education scholarships and recognizing 4-H volunteers.
