Helping 4-H Alberta Youth Reach Higher.
Czar-Metiskow 4-H Club (East Central Region – Czar, Alta.)
It all started with a challenge. The Czar-Metiskow 4-H Club members were asked to think of others for a community service project. The result? A wonderful donation to the local chapter of Bags of Love for East Central Alberta. This initiative exemplified 4-H’s mission: To empower youth to be responsible, caring and contributing leaders that effect positive change in the world around them.
The Bags of Love program works with communities and local Child and Family Services to help ease the transition for children that have to be removed from their home for safety reasons. The bags are something they can call their own and are filled with personal care items and a special letter.
“We have many quilting ladies involved with this program and I reached out to one of them to come speak to our members and explain more about the Bags of Love organization and how it works. It made the kids think about what it would be like for those not in a good family situation,” says Sylvia Axley, Assistant General Leader and Registrar of the Czar-Metiskow 4-H Club.
Members were encouraged to buy needed personal items for the bags which include a special locally made quilt. The $300 from UFA Funds 4-H Alberta went towards purchasing fabric for the backing of the quilts.
“We got a kind donation from UFA so we paid it forward to the Bags of Love organization,” says Sylvia.
Taber Corn Dawgs (South Region – Taber, Alta.)
The Taber Corn Dawgs were able to direct their funding towards three different programs this year. The first being Small Animals where the members worked with an animal, usually one they have at home, teaching them basic obedience and then moving into agility skills.
“It’s exciting for the kids, we will join with the rest of the district for Achievement Day where the sheep and beef animals are showcased. Our club will also showcase their small animal projects and put on a little demonstration for the spectators when there’s a pause between the show and sale,” says Naomi Wiebe, General Leader.
The club also supported the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) program this year where they’re doing a few different things including how to calculate gravity with an egg drop and learn about radios. STEM projects last year focused on robotics. The final defined project is part of In & Around the House and is in its first year for the Taber Corn Dawgs. Food members will be learning about food safety and basic measuring and mixing of ingredients. A pancake breakfast and chilli supper are on the menu.
UFA Helps to Fund 4-H Alberta
