Altoona, Iowa – Leading up to Polk County 4-H’s annual online giving day, to be held noon to noon Oct. 4-5, and National 4-H Week, Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach in Polk County announces the newly formed Polk County 4-H Endowment Committee. This group of nine will be charged with managing, distributing, and growing funds which will go towards local Polk County 4-H initiatives, programs, and projects.

“The individuals appointed to the Endowment Committee are passionate supporters of 4-H,” Paul Gibbins, regional director of ISU Extension in Polk County, said. “Their passion and insight will be central in helping Polk County 4-H expand opportunities and programming. Through their leadership, we can grow the endowment while thoughtfully using those funds across the county.”

The nine member Polk County 4-H Endowment Committee comprises of: 
-    Seven community members, one representing a Polk County 4-H club: Colleen Sattler, Angie Hilbert, Jeff Murphy, Adam Obrecht, Brenda Gill, Barb Lykins, and Jennifer Weaver.
-    Polk County Extension council member: Emma Runde
-    Polk County Extension staff member (non-voting): Megan Freel

“With our annual giving day just around the corner, we are excited to have this group on board, ready to support the work we do for local youth,” Gibbins said. 

Iowa 4-H Giving Day & National 4-H Week
Polk County 4-H, in partnership with the Iowa 4-H Foundation, will participate in it’s annual Iowa 4-H Giving Day to be held October 4-5, noon to noon. The 24-hour online fundraising event will serve as an opportunity to mobilize current and past 4-H’ers, their families, and the community to raise awareness and grow financial support for local 4-H. 

Polk County 4-H will activate 4-H alumni, their networks, and supporters to encourage them to donate online at www.iowa4hgivingday.org/organizations/polk-county-extension. Polk County 4-H will also share fundraising challenges and matches on their social media pages throughout the 24 hour event (@PolkCountyIA4H on Facebook and @ISUExtPolk on Twitter) as well as encourage donors and participants to use #GrowIowa4H to share fun experiences and memories.

All the money raised through the campaign will directly support local Polk County 4-H programming. These funds will help support unique experiences like the Summer Day Camp series, Chick-Hatching workshops, or the 4-H Urban Youth Leadership program; offer scholarships and financial support to youth in need; provide materials and supplies; and organize other after school programs or leadership conferences and retreats.

Iowa 4-H Giving Day also falls during National 4-H Week, October 2-8, which celebrates 4-H youth, parents, volunteers and alumni nationwide. Nationally, 4-H is America’s largest youth development organization where collectively it empowers nearly six million young people with the skills to lead for a lifetime. Last year, Polk County 4-H served nearly 3,000 youth by offering research-based experiences that include a mentor, a hands-on project, and a meaningful leadership opportunity. 4-H programs encourage youth to build leadership, citizenship, communication, and life skills while giving them a strong foundation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines.

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