News Features

4-H Youth Support Community Needs During Holiday Season

By Dallas Meringolo
   As the holiday season brings a spirit of giving, Lake County 4-H youth are stepping up to make a meaningful difference in their communities. Through a wide range of service projects, these young leaders are demonstrating the power of generosity and the values at the heart of the 4-H pledge: to improve their club, community, country, and world.
   Affiliated with the University of Florida and Florida A&M University (FAMU), Florida 4-H is a Positive Youth Development program that provides hands-on learning experiences and fosters lifelong skills. One of the 4 Essential Elements that 4-H focuses on, generosity, is more than just a seasonal theme. It’s a year-round commitment to servant leadership and civic engagement.
   According to a Tufts University study, 4-H members are nearly four times more likely to contribute positively to their communities compared to their peers. This statistic comes to life in Lake County, where 4-H clubs have launched a variety of impactful initiatives since the start of the new program year.
   Among the standout efforts:
   Turkey Donations: Over 200 turkeys and meals were distributed thanks to a partnership with the ELKS Lodge and Hillcrest Insurance. Bay Lake Beef and Swine members also contributed nearly 60 bags at the Oinkapalooza show to support the cause.
   Senior Thanksgiving Meal: Southside and Friends 4-H hosted a dinner for more than 30 seniors, many of whom expressed heartfelt appreciation for the youth-led effort.
   Blankets for Seniors: Altoona Eagles 4-H worked with LovExtension, a local nonprofit, to provide lap and fleece blankets to senior citizens.
   Hygiene Pantries: 4-H Ambassadors established five hygiene pantries in local schools and organized a glove and sock drive for Open Door.
   Operation Christmas Child: Lake County Explorers continued their annual tradition of assembling gift boxes for children in need.
   Support for Foster Families: GRITS 4-H provided essential items to foster families across the county.
   Food & Toy Drives: Backwoods and Gracious Hearts 4-H clubs collected donations to support local families during the holidays.
   Environmental Stewardship: Goat Busters 4-H conducted invasive weed pulls at a local nature center.
   Fall Festival: Okahumpka 4-H brought animals to Lake Hills School’s Fall Festival, an event warmly received by students and staff.
   Looking ahead, Lake County 4-H has more service projects in the works. One upcoming initiative, “Honoring Heroes,” led by Bits of Lake County 4-H, will feature a community scavenger hunt that celebrates agriculture, local heroes, and the impact of 4-H across the region.
   These efforts reflect the heart of 4-H to empower youth to lead with compassion, purpose, and a commitment to service. Lake County 4-H accepts members year-round and is eager to connect youth with open clubs. For more information, contact Dallas Meringolo at hendersond@ufl.edu.
   And remember, Lake County 4-H is always looking for new ways to benefit the community.