FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
To be archived (4-H) after 9/1/07
Pedal for Pledges! That’s the mantra that will push “Outspoken for 4-H”cyclists up mountain roads and along hot highways June 14 through June 17 as they retrace the annual 250-mile trek from Kearneysville to WVU Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp, near Weston.
The 10 cyclists will launch their 11-county journey at 8:15 a.m. Thursday, June 14, from the Jefferson County West Virginia University Extension Office in Kearneysville.
Around 2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 17, more than 300 applauding 4-H members will welcome the cyclists when they ride into WVU Jackson’s Mill State 4-H Camp near Weston in Lewis County. Their arrival will officially open the weeklong West Virginia Older Members’ 4-H Conference, the birthplace of the “Outspoken for 4-H” fundraising event.
Between Thursday and Sunday, the 4-H cyclists will be encouraged by 4-H volunteers and supporters waving motivational signs. WVU Extension agents and 4-H volunteers along the route are supporting "Outspoken for 4-H" by organizing donations, food, lodging and well-wishers.
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 14 – Jefferson,
Berkeley and Morgan counties
June 15 – Hampshire,
Hardy and Grant counties
June 16 – Pendleton
and Randolph counties
June 17 – Barbour,
Upshur and Lewis counties
This year’s riders include four current 4-H members: Jason Burnside of Bridgeport, Sarah P. Grammo of Harpers Ferry, Jared Matlick of Shepherdstown and Nathan Sisler of Moorefield.
Joining them are six 4-H alumni: Jeff Brandenburg of Middleway, Genevieve Eaton of Harpers Ferry, Kylea Goff of Pullman, James Grantham of Middleway, Christopher Smith of Hickory, N.C. (formerly of Parkersburg) and Ross Williams of Romney.
Each cyclist has pledged to raise a minimum of $500.
“Armchair cyclists” can follow the 4-H riders’ route via a road-by-road schedule on the Web site (www.ext.wvu.edu/4-h/outspoken/route.htm), where they can also make donations.
The annual bike ride rallies 4-H supporters, alumni and members to make tax-deductible donations to the 4-H Youth Development Program, a WVU Extension Service organization that touches the lives of almost 60,000 West Virginia youths each year.
4-H provides educational programs through clubs, individual projects, county and state camps, after-school programs and special interest groups. Research has shown that, while they have fun and make friends, 4-H youths learn leadership, citizenship and life skills through their individual and group projects.
All tax-deductible contributions will go directly to the program area chosen by donors, who have the option to select “Furnish and Finish” Mount Vernon Dining Hall at WVU Jackson’s Mill, other renovation projects at the Mill, 4-H camp scholarships, or other 4-H activities and projects.
Donation forms are available at local WVU Extension offices and on the Web (www.ext.wvu.edu/4-h/outspoken/outspoken_pledge_form.pdf ).
For more information about “Outspoken for 4-H,” contact Grantham (outspokenfor4h@gmail.com), who is the 2007 coordinator.
Completed donation forms may be mailed to:
WVU Extension Development
806 Knapp Hall
PO Box 6031
Morgantown WV 26506-6031
CONTACT: Debbie McDonald, WVU 4-H Youth Development
Phone: (304) 282-3802; e-mail: Debbie.McDonald@mail.wvu.edu
—WVU-ES—
fsm – 6/08/07
Last modified
June 12, 2007
Comments to: Extension Service Web
