Training is underway for a 250-mile bike ride across West Virginia to raise scholarship money to help send youths to 4-H camp programs. The 25 riders participating in “Outspoken for 4-H” hope to raise $20,000 by the event kickoff on June 13.
“4-H camp is such a great experience. We never want a kid to miss out on state 4-H camp because his or her family can’t afford it,” said James Grantham, a lifelong 4-H’er from Jefferson County and one of the event organizers.
Celebrating its 10th year, the ride has enjoyed much success ensuring campers can attend camp at a low cost. Over the past ten years, Outspoken cyclists have raised more than $50,000.
Many 4-H’ers take part in the event as riders and as volunteers. Twenty-two cyclists crossed the state last year, stopping at county 4-H camps to promote healthy lifestyles and show their 4-H pride. The ride finishes at Older Members Conference State 4-H Camp at West Virginia University Jackson’s Mill near Weston, W.Va.
“We greatly appreciate all the support we have had over the years. We have great supporters who volunteer to help or donate to our cause,” said Grantham. “We are happy that we have helped change a few lives through the money this event has raised.”
Supporters of 4-H and Outspoken have three ways to contribute to the fund.
A donation form can be downloaded at www.OutspokenFor4H.ext.wvu.edu. Instructions for mailing the form are also available on the website.
Donors can visit www.development.ext.wvu.edu and click on the Outspoken button to make a donation through an online form.
Finally, donors can simply text ‘WVU Bike’ to the number 85944, to give $10 to the 4-H Annual Fund. Your texted gift will go to support the Outspoken cyclists and 4-H campers. Some mobile phone carriers might not support mobile giving; check with your carrier before texting. Standard messaging rates apply.
To give in support of state 4-H camps, or to become “Outspoken for 4-H” and participate in the ride, contact the WVU Extension Service Development Office at 304-293-5692, or email Andrew Barnes at Andrew.Barnes@mail.wvu.edu.
For more than a century, 4-H has focused on agricultural science, electricity, mechanics, entrepreneurship and natural sciences. Today, 4-H out-of-school opportunities also exist in subjects like rocketry, robotics, bio-fuels, renewable energy and computer science.
To learn more about new opportunities in the 4-H program, visit www.ext.wvu.edu, or contact your local office of the WVU Extension Service.
-WVU-
ab-cw/04/25/13
Follow @WVUToday on Twitter
CONTACT: Cassie Waugh
Cassie.waugh@mail.wvu.edu; office: 304.293.8735, cell: 304.376.1829