Nassau 4-H Wins Bronze in Fight Against Cancer
Nassau County’s 4-H program raised over $2,500 for the American Cancer Society in a Relay for Life event, earning the program a bronze medal.
About 35 youth and adults from Nassau County 4-H camped, slept, and walked for 18-hours at the annual event held at West Nassau High School in Callahan. The Relay for Life theme this year’s was “Celebrating More Birthdays,” so the 4-Her’s decided to decorate their booth and call it “4-H is blowing out the candles on cancer. ” The 4-H'ers were celebrating the birthdays of cancer survivors.
Prior to the camp out, 4-H youth sold tickets and hosted a spaghetti dinner fundraiser. Nassau county 4-H raised about $1,000 at the dinner fundraiser. They also assembled themed baskets for community members to bid.
“This event helps our youth learn generosity and support the community, all while having fun with friends,” said Amanda Thien, 4-H Extension faculty in Nassau County. “This event gives our families the opportunity to work really hard together in a non-competitive setting for a good cause like fighting cancer. Almost everyone can say cancer has impacted their family either directly or indirectly,” Thien said.
This was not the first time Nassau County’s 4-H program earned an award for participation in the Relay for Life event. “They were among a few group of teams who’ve participated in this event since it started in 2005 in Nassau County,” Thien said.
Awards Nassau 4-H program has received from the American Cancer Society Relay for Life are:
Year Award
2005 Rookie of the Year
2006 Best Campsite
2007 Best Campsite
2010 Bronze for Funds Raised
Volunteers in Nassau County coordinate the spaghetti dinner, basket assembly, and their stay at the campsite. Shari Braddock, team co-chair said, “the Relay for Life is so much more than just a community service project. It entails all of the 4-H’s of Head, Heart, Health, and Hands. Youth use their heads to come up with ideas to raise money to benefit the American Cancer Society; their heart to reach out to those that had or are suffering with cancer; their health to walk on the track and complete fundraising events prior to the relay and their hands to put it into action by actually raising funds; working booths and walking the track. It really builds a sense of camaraderie between the different clubs in our county because they are working side by side for a common cause. We reached the bronze level of $2500 for the first time this year and next year’s goal is the silver at $5000.”
For more information about the Nassau County 4-H program call (904) 879-1019, visit us online at www.nassau.ifas.ufl.edu or email athien@ufl.edu.
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