Spotlight on Youth - April 22, 2009 |
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Ohio 4-H recognized for service to military kids
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Just two days shy of the fourth anniversary of “Operation: Military Kids,” the Ohio National Guard honored Ohio State University Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program with a 2009 Adjutant General Recognition Award.
Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland and Major General Gregory Wayt, the Ohio National Guard’s Adjutant General, presented the award at the Ohio National Guard’s annual Family Readiness Conference in Dublin, Ohio, on Saturday, April 4. Accepting the honor on behalf of Ohio 4-H were Bobby Moser, vice president and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, and Keith Smith, director of OSU Extension. The award was bestowed for the support that 4-H professionals and volunteers have given to children of deployed parents.
“Operation: Military Kids” is a national initiative in 49 states and the District of Columbia that partners 4-H with the military’s family-support organizations as well as other community partners. The aim is to organize programs for military youth to help them find positive ways to cope with the stress of their parents’ deployment.
Ohio was among 20 states to begin programming when the program launched on April 6, 2005. Recent figures from the U.S. Department of Defense show that Ohio is home to 33,000 military youth.
“They are spread throughout the state – they’re in every county,” said Ohio 4-H youth specialist Theresa Ferrari. In 2008,
In bestowing the award, Wayt recognized 4-H’s efforts: “Ohio 4-H has embodied the mission of the Ohio National Guard and the Family Readiness program: ‘When called, we respond — with ready staff and volunteers, any time, anywhere,” he said. “Ohio 4-H professionals work together, side-by-side, with those of the Ohio National Guard.”"
The idea to team up 4-H with military family support programs to offer support to military youth was a stroke of brilliance, Ferrari said.
“We have a delivery system other organizations can’t match,” Ferrari said. Since its inception, “Operation: Military Kids” has reached 88,000 military youth, and Ohio is seen as a leader nationwide, Ferrari said. National 4-H Headquarters coordinates the program through funding from U.S. Army Child, Youth, and School Services.
“Operation: Military Kids” programs include:
Camps geared specifically for youths whose family members have been or soon will be deployed. “We started four years ago with one camp, and this year we’re offering 10 — both day camps and residential camps,” Ferrari said. The focus is to reduce feelings of isolation and anxiety the children might be feeling — especially children of National Guard or Reserve troops who don’t usually know other children in military families.
Youth programs during mobilization briefings and post-deployment meetings. The youth programs are designed to both entertain the children while their parents are in meetings, and to help them bond with each other. In fact, “Operation: Military Kids” teamed up with the National Guard to offer two youth programs during the weekend Family Readiness Conference. Children ages 6-9 got a behind-the-scenes tour Saturday at the Columbus Zoo as well as science activities at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center, and those aged 10-17 traveled for the weekend to Camp Joy in Clinton County for adventure activities including a high-ropes course.
The coordination of the production and distribution of “Hero Packs,” knapsacks filled with items specifically geared for children with a parent about to be deployed.
The packs are assembled by 4-H members and community volunteers throughout the state, and distributed at mobilization briefings and other events.
Alexander FFA competes in livestock and equine events
ALBANY, Ohio — The Alexander FFA livestock judging and equine management teams attended the state competition on Saturday March 28.
The equine management team, consisting of Kara Endick, Noelle Eveland and Jessie Sinclair, placed second in the district.
In addition, the livestock judging team consisted of Zach Crabtree, Kara Oberholzer, Jacob Smith, and Kim Holcomb, which placed third in the district. |
| 4/22/2009 |
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