The Kentucky 4-H Foundation, in coordination with the Kentucky 4-H Program at the UK College of Agriculture–Cooperative Extension Service, is entering Phase II of the Camp Improvement Campaign. The initial effort will focus on the Feltner camp near London.
Phase I was completed in spring 2011 (details can be found in the winter 2011 newsletter) with $2.7 million invested. Many of our donors and supporters are wondering how we are able to launch the second phase of such a campaign in these tough economic times. Here are the four steps the Foundation has laid in order to secure the next phase of this amazing work for our youth.
Step One: Farm Credit Mid-America Commits $50,000 plus Matching Grant
Thanks to the generous support of Farm Credit Mid-America, which has donated $50,000 from its Community Giving Program to our effort, your gift can double through an additional $25,000 matching gifts program. Farm Credit Mid-America will match, dollar-for-dollar, any and all gifts up to $25,000 given to the Campaign for Feltner before December 31, 2012.
Thus, your gift of $50 can become $100, or $250 can become $500. Our immediate challenge is to secure the Farm Credit Mid-America match.
Step Two: Big Supporters Step Up – Knox & Harlan County Extension District Boards
The Knox County Extension District Board and the Harlan County Extension District Board have both made significant commitments to the Feltner campaign. Without their support, the Foundation would not have secured momentum to meet our goal.
Step Three: Manageable Goal – One Camp at a Time
The second phase of the campaign will be a four year effort, with the goal of replacing all the old cabins at each of the four 4-H camps. During the next four years, one of the four camps will be the focus during each year; fundraising efforts, however, will continue for all camps during the entire period. In this first year, our focus will be the J.M. Feltner Memorial 4-H Camp near London. This week, I met with the Feltner 4-H Camp Improvement Committee to kick off the fundraising in London. We are mailing nearly 2,000 direct mail pieces to 4-H supporters in Feltner’s 32 county service area.
Step Four: Your Help
During the next seven weeks, the Foundation, 4-H agents, and 4-H supporters will focus on raising the Farm Credit Mid-America match and securing the additional funds needed to build the first cabin with storm shelter at Feltner. Farm Credit Mid-America staff will also be helping with the fundraising and PR effort. We can’t achieve this goal alone, however; we are asking for your support. Your investment in this campaign will pay dividends in preparing today’s youth to be leaders of tomorrow–as business people, farmers, civic leaders, and well-rounded citizens. Your support, at any level, will positively impact the camping experience at Feltner for years to come.
If you, like me, still bleed green, we are counting on your support for today’s 4-Hers. There has never been a better time to support the Kentucky 4-H Foundation community.
Click here to learn more about the Campaign for Feltner, Phase II Camp Campaign.
Click here to donate online, making sure to indicate that you want to give to the Feltner campaign.
