4-H informational, fundraising program to be held Oct. 30 in Cuero

CUERO – Representatives from the Texas A&M University System, Texas 4-H Foundation and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will present an educational and fundraising program on 4-H at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum in Cuero.

“These representatives and 4-H specialists will present updates on the many new and exciting 4-H programs for youth development being offered throughout the state,” said Dr. Chris Boleman, state program leader, Texas 4-H Youth Development program.

Boleman said some of the 4-H programs that will be highlighted at the program include those related to healthy living, science and technology, leadership, livestock, golf, natural resources and the military.

He said for 4-H programs to grow and continue to be successful, AgriLife Extension, which administers all 4-H clubs throughout the state, has become more dependent on private-sector support.

“We have reached out to people in communities throughout the state to help us provide an opportunity for youth to be involved in these programs through the Texas 4-H Foundation,” said Jim Reeves, the foundation’s executive director. “As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the foundation also provides tax benefits in terms of contributors being able to deduct some or all of their charitable support.”

Reeves said the Texas 4-H Foundation is reaching out for financial assistance by inviting those interested in 4-H programming and supporting its continuation to attend the reception.

“The fundraising campaign is targeting statewide programmatic needs, but there are also ways people can designate their contributions to go toward local or regional 4-H programs or activities,” said Anthony Netardus, AgriLife Extension agent for DeWitt County, who has been involved in local 4-H programming for more than 17 years. “For example, a person can designate that a contribution go toward local academic scholarships or to scholarships allowing limited-resource youth to attend 4-H camps or other 4-H programs and activities.”

Reeves said the purpose of this and other events relating to the statewide fundraising campaign is to “seek financial support for the Texas 4-H and Youth development Program at a state, regional and local level so Texas 4-H programs can have all the necessary resources and opportunities needed to be successful.”

He said he hopes meeting the program’s long-term funding goals will grow the program to new heights through position and program endowments; provide financial support for 4-H programs, camps and resource development; and provide new county and area 4-H programs that would benefit from local funding.

Boleman said Texas 4-H is the largest youth-serving organization in Texas, providing youth development and enrichment opportunities through quality, relevant education for more than 100 years. Currently there are more than 55,000 4-H club members throughout Texas, with more than 630,000 of the state’s youth ages 5 to 19 participating in 4-H programs and activities annually.

“We hope people will join us at this educational and informational reception to see how they, their families and/or companies can become part of the greatest youth development program in the world,” Boleman said.

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