Barnstable County Youth Celebrate National 4-H Week October 4-10

Barnstable, Mass., September 25, 2015 – More than 6 million young people across the country will celebrate National 4-H Week, an annual celebration of 4-H, during the first full week of October. The Barnstable County 4-H is using National 4-H Week this year to showcase the great things that 4-H offers young people and highlight the incredible 4-H youth in the community who work each day to make a positive impact on the community.

The 4-H Pillow Project is a community service project run by Barnstable County 4-H Clubs. 4-H members learn to make fleece pillows that are donated to the Mary McCarthy Hope Hospice House in Sandwich and nursing homes and other local care centers on Cape Cod. This year, over 250 pillows were donated. The Barnstable County Advisory Council sponsored this 4-H project by purchasing all the necessary supplies. Barnstable County 4-H is once again kicking off the new 4-H year with helping hands to make a difference in the lives of people and their families who are in hospice care.

“I have seen first-hand how these pillows add comfort to patients and also how the children learn about hospice and the needs of others,” said Barnstable County 4-H Educator Judy Vollmer. “It also helps children see that they can do something, even something small, which can make a difference for people facing a life-limiting illness. This helps kids understand end-of-life issues as they may have a grandparent, friend or neighbor who may be ill and can comfort them by bringing them a pillow.”

In Barnstable County, more than 220 youth and 85 volunteers from the community are involved in 4-H.

Research has proven that participation in 4-H has a significant positive impact on young people. Recent findings from the Tufts University Study of Positive Youth Development indicate that, when compared to their peers, young people in 4-H are:

· Nearly four times more likely to contribute to their communities,

· Two times more likely to pursue healthy behaviors, and

· Two times more likely to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs in the out-of-school time.

Also during National 4-H Week is 4-H National Youth Science Day (NYSD), which is the world’s largest youth-led science experiment. On October 7, 2015, millions of young people will take part in this year’s NYSD experiment, Motion Commotion, to learn about physics, speed and safety! To learn more about National Youth Science Day, visit http://www.4-h.org/nysd/.

About 4-H

4-H, the nation’s largest youth development and empowerment organization, cultivates confident kids who tackle the issues that matter most in their communities right now. With 611,800 volunteers, 3,500 professionals, and more than 25 million alumni, the 4-H movement supports young people from elementary school through high school with programs designed to shape future leaders and innovators. Fueled by research-driven programming, 4-H’ers engage in hands-on learning activities in the areas of science, citizenship and healthy living.

About Massachusetts 4-H Youth Development
Massachusetts 4-H Youth Development reaches more than 27,000 young people in the Commonwealth with science-based curriculum, hands-on learning and diverse programs to grow confident, capable and caring kids and provide them with skills for work and for life. Based at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, 4-H has seven regional offices. For more information, visit www.mass4h.org.

About Massachusetts 4-H Foundation

Celebrating its 60th anniversary, the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to fostering youth development across the Commonwealth. The Foundation provides resources to support and strengthen 4-H through fundraising, promoting public awareness, program sponsorship and advocacy. For more information, visit www.mass4hfoundation.org.