Berns family jumpstarts campaign with $5,000 donation
The Greene County 4-H Foundation on Sept. 27 announced its annual fundraising campaign will kick off in celebration of National 4-H Week Oct. 2-8.
The Foundation aims to raise $15,000 targeted at growing and sustaining 4-H enrollment by supporting Day Camps and other youth programs.
Day Camps give kids an opportunity to try out 4-H programming through engaging, fun and educational activities designed for a variety of age groups.
In the last year, Greene County’s 4-H Day Camps have been very successful.
“We had a huge percentage of non–4-Hers experience 4-H programming through programs like ‘Fizz, Bubble, Goo’ and ‘Fun with Bots’ and our upcoming career exploration camps in conjunction with Greene County Career Academy,” said Loel Larson, Greene County 4-H Foundation president. “These programs are a great pathway for creating future 4-Hers and grow our county program.”
He adds that the Foundation is excited to raise funds for such great opportunities for Greene County youth.
Fundraiser gets jumpstart with $5,000 donation
Arlyne Berns has been involved in 4-H for nearly seven decades. So, the decision was easy recently when she was asked to designate funds she won from a Bayer program to a local, educational cause.
$5,000 was designated from Bayer’s America’s Farmers Grow Communities Award.
“4-H has always been an important in my life and my children’s’ lives,” said Berns. “It’s an educational program where young people can meet lots of friends and offers really worthwhile programs for children.”
Berns, who lived near Churdan all her life until recently moving into Jefferson, knows the value of 4-H firsthand.
“I started in 4-H when I was in 4th grade. Then all four of my children were involved in 4-H and two of my grandchildren were also involved right here in Greene County,” said the proud grandma of five and great-grandmother of one. “My husband and I each served as 4-H leaders, as well.”
Berns has requested the funds be used at the discretion of the Greene County 4-H Foundation, which exists to raise funds for, and support, Greene County 4-H programming, scholarships, and infrastructure such as the Clover Café.
“We are honored to be selected by Arlyne and her family as the designee of these funds,” said Larson. “With Arlyne’s help, we have a great start to our fundraising goals for 2022 to focus on Day Camps and programming for our kids aged Clover Kids (K-3) through seniors in high school. We are very thankful,” said Larson.
The purpose of the America’s Farmers Grow Communities Award from the Bayer Fund is to partner with farmers to make a positive impact in farm communities across the county by supporting local non-profit organization. Since the America’s Farmers program began in 2010, more than $63 million has been directed to organizations across rural America.
