Paper Clover and National 4-H Week coming soon

The TSC 4-H Paper Clover Campaign conducted each spring and fall is certainly no paper tiger in terms of its national significance and support for the local 4-H program.

Nationally, 4-H programs can thank TSC for raising nearly $523,000 during the most recent spring campaign and each of the last three campaigns that have occurred during the spring and fall have generated several hundred dollars to Putnam County 4-H each time the campaign was conducted locally at the Greencastle TSC store. Beginning this week on Wednesday, Sept. 19, the TSC Paper Clover Campaign will be occurring. The program will continue through Sunday, Sept. 30. The program is very simple. For every dollar donated at the checkout counter, one receives a 4-H paper clover that is pasted onto the store's front window. Purchasers may write their name, family or organization name etc. onto the paper clover. Funds are used locally to support 4-H volunteer development and education as well as to provide for 4-H science education resources.

Additionally, get ready to celebrate National 4-H Week which is scheduled for Oct. 7-13. This provides 4-H Clubs across the country with the opportunity to increase the level of awareness of local communities about the wonderful experiences provided to youth through 4-H programs.

Nationally, clubs, members, and volunteers often take advantage of this week to promote 4-H by setting up displays in local community businesses and libraries; giving presentations to groups such as Rotary, Kiwanis, and schools; being interviewed on radio or television; and developing announcements to post on 4-H Club Facebook pages.

Now is a great time for 4-H volunteers and 4-H Club members to think about how they would like to communicate the 4-H message within the community. Several helpful resources are available on the National 4-H Web site. Visit: http://www.4-h.org/Content/Resource-Library/Promotional-Toolkits/Toolkits/2012-N... where 4-H volunteers and others interested in 4-H may utilize promotional resources. Organizations are encouraged to embrace requests or invite 4-H groups to increase 4-H program knowledge and awareness.

Visit our homepage at www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or you can contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 653-8411 for more information regarding this week's column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee. All times listed are Eastern Time.

Upcoming events

Sept. 9-30 -- TSC Paper Clover Campaign

Sept. 22 -- Junior Leader Kickoff Event, Fairgrounds Harris Hall, 6 p.m.

Sept. 24 -- Putnam County Fair & 4-H Club Association, Inc. (Fairboard) Annual Meeting, Fairgrounds, 6 p.m.

Sept. 27 -- Extension Homemakers Achievement Night 6:30 p.m. at the Fairgrounds

Oct. 1 -- Extension Homemakers Leader Lesson "Good Grief" 7 p.m. at the Extension Office

Oct. 2 -- Master Gardener Assoc., Julian Bldg., DePauw Room 157, 7 p.m.

Oct. 3-4 -- Bridges Out of Poverty Program, Prindle Institute (DePauw) pre-register by Sept. 26

Oct. 7-13 -- National 4-H Week

Nov. 4 -- 4-H Member Achievement and Volunteer Recognition Program, Fairgrounds, 2 p.m.