Member Spotlights

Kevin, Orange County

Kevin, Rancho Capistrano Wranglers 4-H Club, Orange County

When asked the question, “What does 4-H means to you?”, Kevin’s reply was, “4-H is about helping the community. I believe doing for others is so very important, and it is a huge part of the 4-H ideals, as well as my own goals.”

Kevin is an active and high-achieving fifteen-year-old girl who has been a member of Rancho Capistrano Wranglers 4-H for over five years.  Her dedication to helping others is something to be commended. She has been described as a “model 4-Her” by those who know her.

Kevin’s community service efforts during her 4-H career have included many donated hours dedicated to helping cancer victims and cancer research.  She participates in various runs and bake sales to raise money.  She also collects yogurt lids for monetary donations and buys books for cancer patients.  Kevin’s community efforts extend beyond cancer awareness to environmental conscientiousness.  She participates in many beach cleanups, recycling projects, and local litter pickups.

Kevin’s patriotic love of her country is something to be admired.  She is an avid supporter of our country’s military and has shown her support by donating hours of community work.  During the past 4-H year, Kevin spearheaded a project she titled SEAL Team FIVE Adoption.  She incorporated the community efforts of Orange County 4-H members in order to aid 350 members of the United States Navy’s SEAL Team FIVE.  The SEAL Team FIVE Adoption project was comprised of four separate projects.  Over 90 thank-you cards, 70 dozen cookies, and 40 pounds of chocolate were sent to the Seals for the “Thank You Cookie Bake.”  Donations came in by the droves in support of Kevin’s “Christmas Wish List,” which provided the Seals with over 360 pounds of donations and dozens of hand-made Christmas cards.  The idea of sending encouraging messages like, “saving lives every day as well as our freedom, in the shape of hearts” formed the foundation of her “Lifesaver Valentines” project.  She sent the Seals dozens of hand-made Valentines along with bags of Lifesaver candies.  Kevin’s final segment of the Seal Team project was entitled “4-H Welcome Home Easter Baskets.”  4-H members from all over Orange County made Easter cards in the shape of eggs and sent plastic eggs filled with jelly beans and a simple message from Kevin of “Welcome Home.”

With each portion of the project, Kevin spent hours writing emails, formulating letters for donation purposes, coordinating logistics, gathering donations, shopping for items, and dozens of other activities that were essential for the success of this project.  After each segment of the project, the Seals sent letters Kevin, thanking her and her 4-H community for “remembering them.”  They especially loved the cards from the 4-Hers.

Kevin’s SEAL Team FIVE Adoption project has been completed, and the members are home safely from deployment.  However, Kevin has decided to continue her community efforts with one of the U. S. Navy’s elite group of individuals.  Kevin says she will “continue performing community service in all the ways I can, because this is what 4-H truly means to me.”

Author: Emily Lane, State 4-H Office Student Assistant, erlane@ucdavis.edu