~by Linda Hedges, Greenbrier 4-H club leader
Learning in 4-H takes place in kitchens, community centers, church basements, county fairgrounds or anywhere young people and adults gather. And 4-H encourages youth to build skills that will last a lifetime: communication, leadership, citizenship, goal-setting, decision making, and responsibility.
But as one leader and a group of Greenbrier 4-H’ers found out, this all occurred in a trip around the downtown square in Jefferson, as well as visits to businesses around the county.
Unfortunately, time restraints kept us from getting to every business, so we want to include each and every business in our appreciation for their support of 4-H. Each business visited received a candy bar wrapped with 4H 4U 4Me and a personal thank you from youth 4-H’ers of Greene County.
On this one day 4-H’ers learned so much, like that the Stitch is responsible for the quilt that gets raffled at the Greene County Fair each year. As we waII‹ed into another store, Jaelynn Hedges said, “Oh, this place is in Jefferson and they sell this, and these?” as we walked down the aisle to find how the owner actually supports 4-H.
The 4-Her‘s were surprised in another business that the lady at the counter did not look happy to see them, and asked how much does it cost? She softened as they said they were thanking her for her support of 4-H. The youngsters do not understand how much they ask of the businesses of the county. Steve at Royal Jewelers was hesitant as a group of kids came in but was very happy and gracious when he was thanked for the engraving he does for them at fair. They had no idea he did that.
As we traveled down the street each youth took turns pleading to talk at the next place. Makenzie Wahl said, “Can I do the one for my aunt in Printer’s Box?” At one business the owner thought they were asking for a donation and when they told him they were thanking him for his support of 4-H, his reply was, “Well, can I give you some money anyway?” I was glad that Madison Christensen was quick to reply, ”No, we are thanking you.
Of course, several business owners weren’t present, but the people at the counter said they would pass it on to the business owner in charge of donations. At another store as the thank you bar was handed across the counter the lady said “You can give it to the owner,” and the 4-H’er replied, “Oh, are you the owner?” having seen the lady before, but not knowing she was the owner.
At Addie’s the 4-H’ers knew Heidi because they had seen what she does at the fair. The youth also knew Jen Badger at ShineOn Designs since she makes the 4-H group’s T-shirts and has done workshops for 4-H’ers before the fair.
As we walked and talked about some of the businesses, Rylan Hostetler said, “People’s Bank, they’re the ones that help us In Clover Cafe at the fair.”
What an excellent experience for both the business owners being appreciated, and the kids meeting, and learning the importance of the county businesses to 4- H.
We did not include in this piece or see in person all of the businesses in the county that support 4-H, although 4-H’ers did visit them in Churdan, Scranton, Paton, and Grand Junction. But we do want to thanl‹ each and every one of you for your support in helping these 4-H youth develop into high quality positive people.
