FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ann Bailey Berry, WVU Extension Communications
Phone: (304) 293-4221, ext. 3416; e-mail: Ann.Berry@mail.wvu.edu
To be archived after July 1, 2006
Determined 4-H cyclists soon will tackle the mountains of West Virginia as they pedal from the Jefferson County West Virginia University Extension Office in Kearneysville to the WVU Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp near Weston.
Beginning early Thursday, June 15, 4-H members, leaders and friends start their 250-mile trek for the third annual “Outspoken for W.Va. 4-H” fundraising bike ride. The venture, which raised $20,000 in the first year alone, also promotes the perks of 4-H to West Virginia’s youths as the cyclists ride for donations.
WVU Extension agents and 4-H volunteers along the route are supporting "Outspoken for W.Va. 4-H" by organizing donations, food, lodging and well-wishers. As the cyclists ride through the route’s 11 counties, they will be encouraged by 4-H volunteers and supporters waving motivational signs.
At designated stops, the cyclists will be greeted by local 4-H’ers and
WVU Extension agents.
Some of the extended stops will include question-and-answer sessions with local
4-H members.
A medical crew, a bike technician, a snack and drink provider, and a crew van accompany the riders at all times.
The cyclists schedule is:
June 15 – Jefferson,
Berkeley and Morgan counties
June 16 – Hampshire
and Hardy counties
June 17 – Grant,
Pendleton and Randolph counties
June 18 – Barbour,
Upshur and Lewis counties
The four-day ride will end at WVU Jackson’s Mill in time for the first day of the weeklong Older 4-H Members’ Conference.
Jeff Yokum, U.S. Secret Service officer at the White House and former West Virginia 4-H’er, created “Outspoken for W.Va. 4-H” at the Older 4-H Members’ Conference at Jackson’s Mill in 2003.
This year’s riders include current 4-H’ers Jason Burnside of Bridgeport and Ross Williams of Romney. Joining them are seven 4-H alumni: James Grantham of Middleway; Michele Hale of Martinsburg; Shay McNeil of Summersville; Chris Smith of Conover, N.C.; Kay Toben of Ithaca, Mich.; Cindy Woodbury of West Friendship, Md.; and Yokum of Washington, D.C.
The crew members are Marilyn Dague of Moundsville; Alex Kidwell of Thurmont, Md.; Chad Shade of Charles Town; Barb Teter of Elkins; Carl Townsend of Wheeling; and Rhonda Walls of Athens.
4-H enthusiasts, alumni and members sponsor the cyclists. The bike ride offers sponsors a chance to make a tax-deductible donation to 4-H, a West Virginia University Extension Service organization that touches the lives of 56,000 West Virginia youths each year.
4-H provides educational programs through clubs, individual projects, camps, after-school programs and special interest groups. All tax-deductible contributions will go directly to the program area chosen by the donors.
To become outspoken for 4-H, contact James Grantham, the 2006 “Outspoken for W.Va. 4-H” ride coordinator, via e-mail (outspokenfor4h@gmail.com) or contact a county WVU Extension office.
More information concerning the route is available on the Web site (http://www.ext.wvu.edu/4-h/outspoken/route.htm). Donation forms are available at local WVU Extension offices and on the Web (http://www.ext.wvu.edu/4-h/outspoken/outspoken_pledge_form.pdf ).
Completed donation forms may be mailed to:
Ann Berry
507 Knapp Hall
PO Box 6031
Morgantown WV 26506
—WVU-ES—
hkh/fsm – 6/07/06
Last modified
June 7, 2006
Comments to: Extension Service Web
