Human Interest

4-H Youth: A Force Against Tornadoes, Unemployment And Obesity

Posted: 3/11/2011

After raising nearly $12,000 through grassroots fundraising, 4-H’er Meg Copass helped her county in Kentucky purchase an early-warning emergency response system.

(NAPSI) - After tornadoes ripped through her small town in Monroe County, Ky, 4-H’er Meg Copass decided to help her town better prepare for emergencies. After talking with local officials, Meg realized her town lacked the funds to pay for an early-warning emergency system that could alert the residents of approaching storms.

By organizing concerts, silent auctions, game tournaments and food sales, Meg single-handedly raised $11,873 from her community. With 80 percent of the total cost covered, Monroe County purchased the emergency response system. Now, a warning can be heard up to eight miles away and can be triggered by 911 emergency call centers 30 miles away.

At 16 years old, Meg’s commitment to her community made her county safer.

Across the country in Oregon, Jose Cazares and his group, the 4-H Tech Wizards, bridged the digital divide in their town by training youth and adults on how to improve their computer and Internet skills.

In Jose’s community, the increasing prevalence of high-tech workplaces has made it difficult for people without computer skills to find employment. However, the tutorials that Jose and his team provide teach how to e-mail, create a website and effectively search on the Internet for jobs and resources.

At the age of 17, Jose is helping his community become more appealing to employers.

Back on the East Coast in Wake County, N.C., 16-year-old Vivian McCarter made it easier for people in her community to find healthier food and to live healthier lives.

According to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, two-thirds of all adults in North Carolina are overweight or obese. The state also ranks 11th worst in the U.S. for childhood obesity.

Using geographic information system technology, Vivian and her 4-H group mapped out grocery and convenience stores in their county and tracked the stores with healthy food options. They found a virtual food desert. So Vivian and her group initiated a campaign to convince store owners to add healthier food choices for their customers.

Vivian helped her neighbors live healthier lives.

Like Vivian and Jose, Meg credits her confidence and perseverance to what she learned in 4-H. “4-H helped me grow. It gave me the skills I needed and helped me to know myself better.”

Stories like these are taking place all across the nation due to the activism and ingenuity of 4-H youth through Join the Revolution of Responsibility, a multifaceted brand campaign launched by National 4-H Council. The campaign tells today’s 4-H story through the achievements of its young people. Visit www.4-h.org/revolution for more information about 4-H and Join the Revolution of Responsibility.

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