ALBANY, Ohio — On Sept. 1, approximately 20 members from the Alexander FFA chapter assisted the Albany Fair Board in getting the fairgrounds ready for the week. The members returned on Sept. 4 to set up their booth. The booth displayed shop projects, officer books, garden products, SAE posters, and pictures as well as awards from the previous year. Sept. 5, was check-in day at the fair and members brought in their livestock projects to get ready for showing throughout the week. Also, the new fair royalty was announced.
 Many female students from the chapter were running. Placing second attendant was student chair member Katelyn Smith. Derby night was Sept. 7, multiple members assisted in parking. To finish off the week on Sept. 9, the members participated in riding the float that was made by many members. The float placed fiftth in the parade. Ending the day, the chapter hosted a fun day on the stage. Children participated from all ages in many games; the children received a t-shirt for their participation. 

ROCKFORD, Ohio — Due to a school cancelation the week before, the Parkway FFA and FCCLA held their annual blood drive on Wednesday, Sept. 12. Students have to be 16 years or older to donate their blood to the American Red Cross. Throughout the day, there were a total of 57 students and faculty members who attempted to donate. The goal was to get 45 units, and in the end, 48 units were collected. The Parkway FFA and FCCLA organizations would like to thank everyone who donated blood.

4-H, TSC launch fall fundraising program

CHEVY CHASE, Md. — On Sept. 13, the National 4-H Council announced the launch of the fall 2012 4-H Paper Clover Campaign in partnership with Tractor Supply Company (TSC). This event marks the beginning of the third year of collaboration between the organizations national in-store fundraiser, benefiting state and local 4 H programming in each of the communities where a TSC or Del’s Farm and Feed Supply store is located. 

The fall 2012 4-H Paper Clover Campaign will take place Sept. 19 thru Sept. 30. Shoppers at Tractor Supply Company and Del’s Feed and Food Supply stores will have the opportunity to support 4-H in over 1,000 communities by purchasing paper clovers for a $1 or more at checkout. All funds raised will be donated to 4-H, and will support 4-H youth development program activities in states all across the country.

“Through this highly impactful community event, we have been able to raise funds nationally over the past few years for thousands of 4-H youth across the country,” said Donald T. Floyd Jr., president and CEO of National 4-H Council. “We are more than pleased with the success of the 4-H Paper Clover Campaign, and we are even more honored to continue the tremendous partnership that drives support for 4-H clubs and programs in the communities of more than 1,000 Tractor Supply Company and Del’s Feed and Farm Supply stores.”

In just two years, the TSC 4-H Paper Clover Campaign has provided more than $1.6 million to 4-H, with 70 percent of the funds returning to state and local 4-H programs. The effort has provided direct support for local camps, after-school programs and other activities, and has granted scholarships to these events that allow youth to explore their interests in everything from animal science to robotics.

“Our Paper Clover efforts are one of the key ways our stores can give back to the community,” said John Wendler, senior vice president of Marketing for Tractor Supply Company. “By providing essential funding for hundreds of thousands of 4-H young people, we are able to support local organizations that are important to both our customer and our Team Members. We’re proud to help improve the many communities in which we have stores through our partnership with 4-H. That is what Tractor Supply is all about.”

This year, funds donated during the national campaign will be tracked online and recorded by state and by store based on the percentage of paper clover sold.  Visit www.tractorsupply.com/4-H, for more information on the fall 2012 4-H Paper Clover Campaign and to view the donation tracker.