Focus on Youth

Youth Grants in Entomology Available

The Coleopterists Society, an international organization of professionals and hobbyists interested in the study of beetles, has established a program to recognize young people in grades 7-12 who are also studying beetles. The Society has pledged to provide up to $300 each year for the Youth Incentive Award Program. In addition to monetary grants, award recipients will receive equipment credit from the BioQuip Products catalog and a subscription to the society journal, The Coleopterists Bulletin.

For more information, visit this site: http: //www.coleopsoc.org/ Applications for this year must be submitted by November 15, 2005.

Application for Trip Chaperones

Attached is the form to be completed by educators and/or volunteers who are interested in chaperoning an upcoming 4-H out-of-state trip. All applications must be sent through both the county and the district offices. The applications are due to the District office by December 9, 2005.

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Denver Western 4-H Roundup – January 4-9, 2006

Denver Western Roundup is a youth leadership conference and a combination of national contests. Delegates must be 15 years of age by January 1, 2006, to be eligible to attend. This year, Oklahoma will take one bus to the conference. Registration Forms and additional information about this opportunity are available at http: //www.clover.okstate.edu/fourh/4he&a/denver.htm

Full payment and registration forms are due to the State 4-H Office by October 14, 2005. Please contact Tracy at (405) 744-8891 if you have questions or need additional information.

Tracy Branch

National Make a Difference Day

October 22, 2005, is National Make a Difference Day. Each year numerous 4-H clubs across our nation are choosing to participate in this national program. Last year at least 15 clubs received national recognition for their programming efforts. We encourage local clubs or county programs to look into this excellent Service-Learning opportunity at http: //www.usaweekend.com/diffday/ .

Helping 4-H Families & Extension Families affected by Hurricane Katrina

Louisiana:

The Louisiana 4-H Foundation has established an AgCenter Relief Fund, with all proceeds going to help LSU AgCenter employees affected by the hurricane. Several 4-H educators and employees lost their homes and all of their possessions and are now homeless.

To donate, send your check, made out to the “Louisiana 4-H Foundation,” to PO Box 25100, Baton Rouge, LA 70894. In the memo field of the check, put “Relief Fund.” If you would like to donate via credit card, you may do so via their website.

All contributions are tax-deductible, and 100 percent of everything raised is going to help LSU AgCenter employees affected by Hurricane Katrina. No part of your donation is going to be used for administrative expenses, etc.

If you have questions, please contact Trey Williams at 225-578-1172 or wwiliams@agcenter.lsu.edu

Mississippi:

In Mississippi, 4-H and Extension have set up a website to respond to the disaster. The page can be found at msucares.com/4h_Youth/4hfoundation. Funds collected will go into a separate Mississippi 4-H Foundation account for hurricane relief. Two projects being coordinated by Mississippi 4-H:

1. "Letters of Caring and Hope," for those 4-H members from around the country that are searching for ways in which they can support our Mississippi youth. We are asking 4-H members and volunteers to write letters that are encouraging. The letters will need to be sent to: Mississippi 4-H -- Letters of Caring, Box 9601, MS State, MS 39762. If they are sent UPS - c/o Dr. Susan Holder, 204 Bost Extension Center, MS State, MS 39762. The letters will be distributed through our 4-H Agents and 4-H youth and adult volunteers to young people affected by the hurricane.

2. Mississippi Operation 4-H Relief: For the families and young people in shelters or isolated areas without power and services, where the days are getting long and the young people are getting restless, we have designed activity boxes. These rubber tubs have lesson plans and activities for kids and parents. They also include 4-H coloring books and other curricula.

The Mississippi 4-H Foundation has set up a separate account for hurricane relief. Funds will go to 4-H families and to purchase supplies for the activity boxes.

If you have questions, contact Morris Houston at 601-829-3611 or mhouston@ext.msstate.edu

Hurricane Relief – Donation Links

RED CROSS

Direct link to the American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/

Direct link to American Red Cross Donations page: http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html Designate monetary donations for Hurricane Katrina.

SALVATION ARMY

Direct link to the Salvation Army: http: //www.redshield.org/crisis/

Direct link to Salvation Army Donations page: www.salvationarmyusa.org Monetary donations may be sent to your local Salvation Army earmarked “Disaster Relief,” made online at www.salvationarmyusa.org or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.

UNITED WAY

Direct link to the United Way: http: //national.unitedway.org/

Direct link to the United Way donations page: https: //volunteer.united-e-way.org/hurricane-katrina/donate/

4-H Dime Drop for Habitat for Humanity

The Oklahoma State 4-H Officers are once again teaming up with Habitat for Humanity (HFH) to help build a house for a low-income family. Last year, Oklahoma 4-H members helped the state 4-H officer team present the Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity (HFH) with a check for $4678.73 during Roundup. This year we would like to once again ask counties to assist the team in reaching a goal of $9,000 and participation of all 77 counties.

HFH seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. In order to do this we have designated “4-H Dime Drop” as a statewide service project, sponsored by the State Officer Team. All proceeds will be designated for “The House 4–H Built.”

Each county and/or club could make a bucket/container specifically designed for HFH. Four-H members and communities are encouraged to “drop a dime” to support our cause. This year the state officers made small birdhouses from a kit to collect their dimes in throughout the year. The timeline for collecting money is October 1, 2005, through April 30, 2006. All money will be due in the county office by May 5th, and county money will be due in the state office on or before May 15th.

What do our members and community neighbors get in return?

- An awareness of Habitat for Humanities’ contribution to our communities.

- An increased understanding of the need for helping our neighbors.

- A personal satisfaction for helping others.

- Community and state recognition for Oklahoma 4-H and my club/county.

Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry. HFHI seeks to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness from the world, and to make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.

Habitat invites people of all backgrounds, races and religions to build houses together in partnership with families in need.

Habitat has built more than 150,000 houses around the world, providing more than 750,000 people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter. HFHI was founded in 1976 by Millard Fuller, along with his wife Linda.

Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat builds and rehabilitates simple, decent houses with the help of the homeowner (partner) families. Habitat houses are sold to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable, no-interest loans. The homeowners' monthly mortgage payments are used to build still more Habitat houses.

Habitat is not a giveaway program. In addition to a down payment and the monthly montage payments, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor - sweat equity - into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.

Clubs, individuals or counties interested in participating in this project need to complete and return the attached “Make your Commitment” form. The form is also available on line.

Please help us achieve our goal by returning your commitment forms today!

September Fest

Special thanks to the state officer team, Langston 4-H and Okfuskee County 4-H members for providing leadership and promoting Oklahoma 4-H at the Governor’s Mansion on September 10th.

Potential 4-H members from the greater Oklahoma City area may be contacting your office about membership based on contact at September Fest. Please assist in placing them within a 4-H club in their community.