4-H Benefit Auction scheduled
The 10th annual 4-H Benefit Auction, which supports all members of Fayette County 4-H, is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. on July 15 at the Youth Building at the Fayette County Fairgrounds in Dunbar Township.
This marks the second year the event is being held before the Fayette County Fair, which is slated for July 28 through Aug. 6.
“Last year, when we moved it, it was extremely successful,” said Jennifer Deichert, Penn State Extension assistant, 4-H and youth development. “We found it was a nice community event for 4-H families before the fair, and it was really nice to see everyone gearing up for the fair.”
The 2015 benefit auction raised $16,400 that is designated to help all members of Fayette County 4-H, which this year includes 24 traditional clubs with 375 members while there are about 2,500 youths involved in 4-H school enrichment programs, such as embryology, health, geocaching and water conservation.
Half of the auction funds are used for programming and registration of youths who participate in regional, state and national 4-H events while the other half is used for scholarships for higher education.
The auction traditionally offers crafts and collectibles, home, garden and livestock supplies, furniture, jewelry, purses, restaurant gift certificates and hotel and resort stays. Entertainment items have included tickets to amusement parks, sporting events and other local attractions. The 4-H clubs offer themed baskets filled with items.
Officials hope to see the public support the auction with a preview of the items starting at 3 p.m. and registration beginning at 5 p.m.
In a letter asking for auction support, Deichert noted, “Local investment in 4-H is at the heart of what allows us to reach more participants and evolve in our programming. Where 4-H in Pennsylvania was born out of a desire to reconnect youth to a rural lifestyle, 4-H today integrates hands-on learning opportunities that range from traditional agriculture to skill-building to cutting-edge engagement in science, engineering and technology.”
A link to the benefit auction can be found at http://extension.psu.edu/4-h/fayette.
Meanwhile, the public can also support the 4-H Livestock Auction that continues to be held during the fair, this year beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, in the indoor arena. Buyer registration begins at 3 p.m.
The livestock auction includes pigs, lambs, goats and steer that are shown in market animal competition at the fair.
Community backing for the auction remains strong with the 2015 auction raising its largest amount ever at $477,373.15.
Money raised at the auction goes directly to 4-H youths who exhibit the animals while buyers have the option to resell an animal with the money going to the 4-H Livestock Scholarship Fund.
Both of these auctions provide the public with opportunities to offer local assistance to 4-H, which is the nation’s largest youth development organization, reaching six million youths across the country through a network of 110 public universities and 3,000 local extension offices.