Indiana 4-H Junior Leaders and their commitment to community service during the holiday season

As the holiday season approaches, many communities across Indiana are buzzing with excitement and anticipation.

But for the Indiana 4-H Junior Leaders, it’s also a time of reflection and giving back. Every year, these young individuals, dedicated to leadership, citizenship, and community service, participate in a range of activities that spread joy and support to those in need. The efforts of 4-H Junior Leaders during the holidays embody the spirit of service and underscore the importance of making a positive impact on others.

The Indiana 4-H program is a cornerstone of youth development, helping young people across the state build life skills, leadership abilities, and a strong sense of civic duty. One of the most integral components of this program is the 4-H Junior Leaders, a group of middle and high school students who take on leadership roles within their local clubs and communities. They are tasked with promoting 4-H, organizing events, and inspiring others through community service projects.

The Junior Leaders are not only responsible for their personal growth but also for creating opportunities that encourage others to engage with their communities in meaningful ways. Throughout the year, these youth leaders often focus on projects that help those who are less fortunate, creating a ripple effect of kindness that spreads throughout Indiana.

This holiday season, the Putnam County 4-H Junior Leaders wanted to be able to give back to families in need by supporting and shopping for the Giving Tree. Based out of Phil the Need, the Giving Tree is a program that assists families of Putnam County in need of Christmas -serving children from birth to 18 years old. After donating $1,000 from their Junior Leader Club funds, they were able to shop for five families. Children within the families that were served by Junior Leaders ranged from age 2 to 17 years. The Junior Leaders had a wide variety of items to shop for on December 4^th. Items included but were not limited to clothing, board games, barbies, hot wheels, shoes, etc.

In the past, Junior Leader members have expressed how this activity is a great way for them to give back to the community.  This sentiment was shared again this year.  Through this activity, Junior Leaders have learned how to purchase items to stay within their budget, identified that all clothing sizes are different (junior sizing to adult), and that depending on interests of the child in need, $25 may not be enough to cover the cost of item of interest, resulting in adjustments to the budget.

Interested in the Junior Leader program? Youth in grades 7-12 can sign up today at v2.4honline.com and select Junior Leaders as your club and project. Still unsure? Our first meeting of the year will be January 15 at the Putnam County Fairgrounds.Feel free to call the Purdue Extension-Putnam County office for more information at 765-653-8411.

Visit our homepage at www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or you can contact the local office by calling 765.653.8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. Office hours are Monday thru Friday from 8:00am-12:00pm and 1:00pm-4:00pm. Evening and lunch appointments are available, upon request. 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. Purdue University is an equal access/equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.

Upcoming events

Dec. 23 – Extension Office closes at 12 Noon for the holidays until Jan. 5^th

Jan. 6 – Ticks in Indiana webinar, 7-8 pm, join at https://tinyurl.com/MGT2026

Jan. 22 – Extension/SWCD Joint Annual Meeting