4-H Delivers

Oroville 4-H Club Delivers Shoes that Fit

The Issue:

As unemployment rates soar throughout the state of California, families are cutting back on life’s essentials. In the worst cases, families who were already struggling are finding it hard to supply the basic needs for their children.

What has 4-H Done?

The Oroville 4-H Club set out to make a difference and lend a helping hand to families in their community needing help.  The small group of 11 members formed a partnership with the Oroville Police Officers’ Association to provide new shoes and socks for children ages 5 to 14.  They organized fundraisers, asked for help from neighboring 4-H clubs, and used a Service-Learning RFP Award from the State 4-H Youth Development Program to purchase 59 pairs of shoes and 120 pairs of socks.

The Payoff:

This was an important effort that provided a positive impact for those who received new shoes as well as the youth who organized the project.  For the community, the payoff was new shoes and socks for children needing assistance.  The 4-H members learned they could make a difference in their own community.  They learned how to organize a successful fund raiser and what it means to stay within a budget.  In addition, members have a better understanding that some people live life happily with very little.  Their reward was a great sense of accomplishment in their effort to help others.

Author: Paul Konicek, California State 4-H, Student Assistant