Each month Effingham 4-H’ers from fifth thru 12th grades are given the opportunity to participate in service learning projects.  

In September, the fifth and sixth grade 4-H’ers collected school supplies for the Treutlen House and the United Way — who in turn shared contributions with other outreach agencies here in the county due to generous participation. 4-H’ers also have collected items for children at the Backus Children’s Hospital, non-perishable food items for Our Daily Bread food pantry and baby items for the Pregnancy Care Center in Rincon.

In October, 4-H’ers participated in a statewide 4-H collection of pop tabs for The Ronald McDonald Houses of Georgia and helped contribute to the statewide total of 12,210 pounds of pop tabs, generating $8,210 for a selected Georgia Ronald McDonald House.  

Junior and senior 4-H’ers (grades 7-12) also share their generosity through making care packages and visiting sick children at the hospital, making Valentines for the Effingham Care Center, collecting and donating jeans for homeless teens, making Christmas cookies, crafts and cards for the assisted living home, writing letters to soldiers overseas and giving their time to after school programs and other community projects.  

Submitted by Jan M. Hall
County Extension Agent, 4-H and Youth Development
University of Georgia
Effingham County