Over the holiday break, I was recently talking with a friend of mine who has a six-year-old daughter. She told me how her daughter’s teacher had Grinch Day.
Everything in the classroom was green; the students wore green, they drank a special green drink, and they ate green Grinchy cupcakes. As we were talking, I remembered the classic line from the Whoville song, “While we stand heart to heart and hand to hand!” I couldn’t help but think that Dr. Seuss himself must have been a 4-Her. After all, the Grinch was green, and an engaged community was a big part of the story.
Our 4-H community is like having our own little Whoville, where “every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small” have been Making the Best Better by teaching young people important life skills for more than 100 years. While o ur “4-H Whoville” has its roots on the farm, today’s 4-H involves kids from farms to cities, even our military bases. It all began with the Fayette County corn club in 1909, but today the organization reaches into all 120 counties and involves more than 230,000 Kentucky youth.
Where would you be without 4-H?
Think about it. Think back to your experience as a 4-H member. Did 4-H make a substantial impact on your life? Whether you’re a 4-H alumnus or a volunteer leader, like you, thousands of former 4-Hers have never been asked to contribute to the organization that meant so much to them. That’s why we are reaching out to you, asking you to become a donor to the organization that has already paid you and many others back many times over. Will you join us in making 4-H a priority in your annual giving?
Why now?
It’s the perfect time to make your end-of-year, tax-deductible donation.
- The Bush-era tax cuts are set to expire December 31, 2012, unless Congress and the President act before that date, and changes to charitable giving rules may occur next year.
- What’s different about this year? The uncertainty about taxes in 2013. Now is the time to consider taking advantage of current tax laws as you make your charitable decisions.
- But most important – If 4-H alumni don’t support 4-H, then why should anyone else?
Can we count on YOU?
Your generous gift of $25, $50, or perhaps $100 can help provide awards, educational materials, and assist with trips. Even relatively modest contributions will have a large impact when multiplied with other donations. Remember, whether “tall or small,” it all makes a difference.
Your donation can be designated to be equally distributed between the County 4-H Council of your choice and the 4-H Foundation’s Annual Fund; or to a 4-H program that most interests you, maybe one for which you have fond memories. Making your donation is as easy as clicking Donate here on our website. If you prefer to send check or donate by mail, click here for a donor reply form you can print and mail. Looking for a 2013 New Year’s resolution? How about a monthly pledge charged to your credit card?
I will end this post with my favorite line from the classic Grinch story, “And then, the true meaning of Christmas came through, and the Grinch found the strength of ten Grinches…plus two!” With every one of our Who’s down in 4-Hville making a donation, our Foundation will find the strength of ten foundations, plus two!
