Washington 4-H Foundation Celebrates 50 Years With Gala

PUYALLUP – The Washington State 4-H Foundation will celebrate a half century as one of the primary supporters of Washington State University Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Program at a gala Sept. 21 during the Western Washington Fair.

The celebration, which includes a social hour and dinner, begins at 4 p.m., in the and Events Center’s Fairview Club. Information about how to purchase tickets is available by emailing 4-hfound@wsu.edu or calling 253-445-4583.

"4-H is a cornerstone in the development of young people, and any opportunity to contribute to the advancement of this program is an opportunity to secure the future strength of our culture,” said Kent Hojem, chief executive officer of the fair and past president of the foundation.

The foundation’s sole mission is to raise funds to enhance and expand state and county 4-H programs. Board members are the official stewards of all donations to 4-H. Pat BoyEs, statewide director of the youth development program, said the partnership between the foundation and WSU Extension has produced dramatic results.

"In 1962, the Washington State 4-H Youth Development Program was composed of 19,000 mostly rural youth,” BoyEs said. "Today, we have 90,000 members, 80 percent of whom live in cities and suburbs. Today’s 4-H members are actively engaged in science, technology, engineering, math, citizenship and healthy living projects. 

"That nearly five-fold growth has been accomplished in no small part through the support of the Washington State 4-H Foundation!”

More information about the foundation is available here.

Editor's note: Information provided by Washington State University.