By Andi Anderson
At the 2024 Iowa 4-H Youth Conference, held from June 25-27, young participants took part in various community service projects, giving back to the Ames community, surrounding counties, and other Iowa communities impacted by recent natural disasters.
Their efforts extended to their hometowns and the Ronald McDonald House, embodying the 4-H spirit of service.
One significant project focused on supporting the Bridge Home in Ames. State 4-H Council members organized a service-learning opportunity where attendees packaged care packages for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Youth participated in stations that taught them about homelessness, including an interactive simulation led by Emily Waugh from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. This simulation allowed participants to experience the challenges faced by those without housing, navigating different scenarios and housing options.
Additionally, delegates heard from Andrea Gronau, director of development at the Bridge Home, who discussed the organization's mission and the impact of the care packages, which were distributed across five counties surrounding Story County.
The items in the packages, donated by youth from their home counties, included essentials like soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, food, and more. The care packages filled an entire cargo van, with some overflow, demonstrating the generosity and commitment of the 4-H members.
The conference also saw youth creating posters and banners for Iowans affected by recent weather events, such as flooding in northwest Iowa. These messages of support were sent to those who could not attend the conference due to these challenges.
In a heartfelt initiative, the State 4-H Council continued the "Pop Tabs for Jacy" campaign, collecting 877.85 pounds of pop tabs to support the Ronald McDonald House.
This effort honors the legacy of Jacy McAlexander, a former State 4-H Council member who had a passion for serving others. The top counties in the pop tab collection were recognized during a special ceremony at the conference banquet.
In addition, the State 4-H Council introduced the "Do All the Good You Can Challenge" to encourage clubs across Iowa to engage in community service. This year, 10 counties participated, contributing 348 hours of service.
Projects included holding a petting zoo, donating to chemo patients, and making tie blankets for donation.
Through these initiatives, the Iowa 4-H youth exemplified the organization's commitment to service, making a positive impact on their communities and learning valuable life skills in the process.
The conference was a testament to the power of youth involvement in creating meaningful change.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-poike
Categories: Iowa, Education