Encouraging 4-H Members to become engaged in service to their communities has been a focus of the Kentucky 4-H Program. During the past two years we have implemented the new National 4-H Civic Education Recommended Guidelines as part of our State Civic Engagement Program. One of those recommendations is not just doing service projects, but incorporating service learning into major programs. 

One afternoon, as part of the 4-H Teen Conference schedule, is devoted to providing service to local non-profit service organizations in and around Lexington. This year we had 27 collaborating organizations. This is the most groups of collaborating organizations we have had since before the pandemic occurred. Twenty-seven groups of  4-Hers were sent out to complete service projects. There were 976 hours of service completed during the 4-H Day of Service. Based on Independent Sector (2023), this saved collaborating organizations $31,000. Each site explained what their purpose was, their history, and current projects. 4-Hers gained information on the individual site as well as learned what it takes for that site to function. 

Collaborating sites have responded to us thanking our 4-Hers for their work and their positive attitudes. Plans will continue for next year's Day of Service.