PUYALLUP, Wash. – The Washington State 4-H Foundation will celebrate a half century as one of the primary supporters of Washington State University Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program at a special gala Sept. 21 during the Western Washington Fair.
The celebration, which includes a social hour and dinner, begins at 4 p.m., in the Puyallup Fair and Events Center’s Fairview Club. Information about how to purchase tickets is available by emailing 4-hfound@wsu.edu or calling (253) 445-4583.
“4-H is a cornerstone in the development of young people and any opportunity to contribute to the advancement of this program is an opportunity to secure the future strength of our culture,” said Kent Hojem, chief executive officer of the Western Washington Fair and past president of the Washington State 4-H Foundation.
The foundation’s sole mission is to raise funds to enhance and expand Washington state and county 4-H programs. The foundation board members also are the official stewards of all donations to 4-H. Pat BoyEs, statewide director of WSU Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program, said the partnership between the foundation and WSU Extension has produced dramatic results.
“In 1962, the Washington State 4-H Youth Development Program was composed of 19,000 mostly rural youth,” BoyEs said. “Today, we have 90,000 members, 80 percent of whom live in cities and suburbs. Today’s 4-H members are actively engaged in science, technology, engineering, math, citizenship and healthy living projects. That nearly five-fold growth has been accomplished in no small part through the support of the Washington State 4-H Foundation!”
More information about the foundation is available at www.4h.wsu.edu/foundation.
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