Cooperative Extension Service Communications and Technology Department 3354 1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82071 (307) 766-6342 • fax (307) 766-3998 • www.uwyo.edu

 

For Immediate Release

Story Contact:

Steve Mack: (307) 766-2528

 

 

Contact: Steven L. Miller, Senior Editor

Phone: (307) 766-6342

E-mail: slmiller@uwyo.edu

Archived News Site www.uwyo.edu/agadmin/news/news.htm

 

Date: 1/13/2006

 

Wyoming State 4-H Foundation seeks to strengthen financial punch

            Representatives of the organization helping fund the largest youth development effort in Wyoming outside the public school system want to help even more.

            No other non-school organization in Wyoming assists youth development efforts more than the 4-H program. “None. Not even close,” said Johnathan Despain, 4-H and youth development coordinator in the state 4-H office in Laramie.

            More than 6,900 youths are involved directly in the Wyoming 4-H program and more than 25,000 are recipients of 4-H programs and education. That’s about 21 percent of the 115,000 Wyoming youths ages 18 and under.

             Those services are provided by more than 3,000 adult volunteers, according to Steve Mack, director of the Wyoming State 4-H Foundation.

            The money to pay for the 4-H trips, awards and many programs comes from the foundation.

            “We are the best game in town when it comes to youth development,” said Bob Sexton of Laramie, chairman of the foundation, and in his fourth term on the foundation board.

4-H is the youth arm of the University of Wyoming’s Cooperative Extension Service, and its state offices are in the College of Agriculture.

            Sexton has a ready answer for those who may ask why they should care about the 4-H program. “If they care about the success of young people and the development of future youths, they should,” he said.

            Adds Despain, “These youths are going to grow up to be their neighbors, teachers, on the city councils and on their county commissions.”

            Mack and foundation board members want to strengthen the organization’s financial punch. A little less than 10 years ago, the foundation expended about $125,000 per year for youth development. That has risen to more than $260,000 a year now.

            “We jumped way ahead trying to find ways to fund the young people,” said Despain. “We are much more financially stable now, and the opportunities for the young people continue to grow.”

            Wyoming 4-Hers can take out-of-state trips such as to the national leadership development conference. 4-Hers used to pay more than 70 percent of the cost, which sometimes exceeded $1,200. Now, the foundation pays 60 to 70 percent of the cost, and 4-H representatives would like to have that figure be closer to 80 percent.

            “Our goal is to have even more kids on more trips,” said Sexton.

            A 501 (c)(3) charitable group, the foundation raises money through donations, cash, goods, personal gifts, member gifts and corporate contributions. “We have to do with the money what the donor wants us to do,” said Sexton, a retired Wyoming Game and Fish Department enforcement officer. “A lot of money goes into what we call program accounts, which are donations for a specific thing.”

            Donations don’t have to be large, Mack said. “I would say your $50 does make a difference in the lives of Wyoming’s 4-H youths,” he said. “It’s evident in their eyes when they return from out-of-state trips or have had an experience they never would have had if not for 4-H. It’s evident when they walk across a stage and receive that award or a scholarship.”

            Foundation board members are Gary Barney of Lander, Bonnie Ellenwood of Buffalo, Milt Green of Casper, Sexton, Kay Clark of Powell, Mike Moon of Saratoga and Tammy Barkhurst of Saratoga.

            For more information about the Wyoming State 4-H Foundation, contact Mack at (307) 766-2528.

            On the Web: http://www.uwyo.edu/wyo4h/Foundation.htm

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