The 22nd annual 4-H Celebration of Youth was a special evening, bringing in $104,548 for Ohio 4-H Youth Development programs, a 20-percent increase in proceeds from 2018.
More than 250 guests at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center enjoyed food, auction bidding, and guest speaker Katie Smith. The Hocking County 4-H alumna and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer shared the impact 4-H made in her life. Smith, a former Ohio State and professional basketball standout, also focused on the importance of the fourth “H” – health.
Health was also in the spotlight when this year’s Celebration of Youth auction concluded. Auctioneer Johnny Regula asked for $1,000 sponsorships to send Ohio 4-H teens to the National 4-H Healthy Living Summit in Maryland. Pledges totaling $18,000 were received, sending the largest group in Ohio 4-H history to the Summit.
All event proceeds benefit two funds:
- The Ohio 4-H Foundation Endowment, which supports new and existing Ohio 4-H programs at the county and state levels
- The Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center Endowment Fund, which helps ensure 4-H programs and activities continue to meet the needs and interests of Ohio youth
A special thanks to this year’s sponsors for their continued support and dedication. Visit our Celebration of Youth page for a list of sponsors and photos of the evening.