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Published on 04/03/24

Support Georgia 4-H with a $4 gift on April 4

By Josie Smith
The 2022-2023 Georgia 4-H student board poses with green slime-covered Georgia 4-H Leader Melanie Biersmith after the 2023 $4 for 4-H celebration.
State 4-H Leader Melanie Biersmith was "slimed" by state officers at State 4-H Council in celebration of reaching the 2023 $4 for 4-H giving goal. Biersmith has agreed to subject herself to the green slime again if this year's $74,444 goal is reached. (Photo by Josie Smith)

The Georgia 4-H Foundation is encouraging friendly competition between 4-H supporters in each county in Georgia to benefit positive youth development during the “$4 for 4-H” fundraiser on April 4.

In what has become an annual tradition, each Georgia county asks local donors to make online donations of $4 or more that day, with the goal of receiving at least four donations per county. Counties that receive four or more donations will turn green on a Georgia map that will be updated throughout the day on social media April 4.

The number four is an important symbol to the 4-H organization. An “H” in each leaf of the four-leaf clover logo represents the tenants of the pledge: head, heart, hands and health. April 4 marks the fourth day of the fourth month of the year.

The online giving day was launched in 2019 with support from the Georgia 4-H Foundation Board of Trustees. Friends of 4-H have made the initiative a major success each year, and the 2023 goal of $60,074 was easily reached with 1,524 individual donors. The 2024 state fundraising goal has been set at $74,444.

Gifts of $44, $444 or any other amount are also welcome. Those interested in donating can visit georgia4h.org/four to find a giving form with the option to designate gifts to a specific Georgia county or 4-H center.

If the giving goal is reached on April 4, State 4-H Leader Melanie Biersmith has agreed to be “slimed” during State 4-H Council at Rock Eagle 4-H Center in June.

Follow Georgia 4-H social media on Instagram or Facebook to track donation progress on April 4.

“This is such an exciting campaign because it shows a widespread commitment to Georgia 4-H from individuals all across the state,” said Ryan Rose, development officer for the Georgia 4-H Foundation. “Parents, 4-H’ers, alumni and community stakeholders step up in a big way to provide meaningful support to our county offices.”

A gift to Georgia 4-H results in life-changing opportunities for youths. Programs delivered at the county level provide positive youth development experiences facilitated by caring adults. Contributions made during the $4 for 4-H online giving day directly support county 4-H programs.

Georgia 4-H empowers youth to become true leaders by developing necessary life skills, positive relationships, and community awareness. As the premier youth leadership organization in the state, 4-H reaches hundreds of thousands of people in a typical year through University of Georgia Cooperative Extension offices and 4-H facilities.

For more information about how to get involved with 4-H as a student, parent or volunteer, visit georgia4h.org or contact your local Extension office.

Josie Smith is the public relations coordinator for Georgia 4-H.

Authors:
Josie Smith
Experts/Sources:
Melanie Biersmith
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