PAW PAW, Mich. — Van Buren County 4-H Leaders’ Association will offer an innovative fundraiser again this year. Instead of selling the traditional fundraiser items, they are hosting the thirteenth annual 4-H fundraising auction on March 7, 2020, at the Van Buren ISD Conference Center in Lawrence.
The proceeds from the annual 4-H auction are used to sponsor youth and adults in training workshops, materials for fun learning activities, recognition and awards for projects well done, and sponsorships to attend camps and county/statewide/national events. Van Buren County currently works with nearly 350 youth and 125 adult volunteers. It is a powerful thing, when kids team up with adults to learn new skills, improve their communities, explore the wonders of today’s world, prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities and have fun.
What do the four H’s stand for?  HEAD, HEART, HANDS AND HEALTH
HEAD –Â 4-H lets kids take the lead, with the help of adult partners, in thinking, learning and problem-solving.
HEARTÂ – 4-H helps kids build strong relationships with peers and adults based on caring and respect.
HANDSÂ – 4-H lets kids learn by doing and then use their talents and skills to make their communities better places in which to live and grow.
HEALTHÂ – 4-H helps kids make healthy choices to keep them physically and mentally able to do what they need to do at school, at home and in their communities.
Modern 4-H supports not only animal, arts, and homemaker projects, but has branched out into performing arts, S.T.E.M., aviation, film, leadership, financial training, and college scholarships. Van Buren County has had youth recognized for projects including horses, companion animals, automotive/welding, poultry, sheep, biological science, leadership, and video.
The auction will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2020. The doors will open at 9:00 a.m. at the Van Buren ISD Conference Center located at 490 S Paw Paw St. in Lawrence. The auction will begin at 10:00 a.m. In addition to cash and checks, Visa/MasterCard/Discover will be accepted; payment is expected the day of the auction. For more information on the auction contact Amy Mortimore at 269-377-8546 or Janice Zerbe at 269-657-8213. For a full listing of auction items, go to: www. vbc4-H.com, then click on auction items. The site is updated as items come in.
For more information about 4-H in Van Buren County please contact Janice Zerbe, Extension Educator, MSU Extension, 801 Hazen St. Suite D, Paw Paw, MI 49079, or by phone at (269) 657-8213 or via email rajzerj@msu.edu.
— MSU Extension- Van Buren County
For more news from Michigan, click here.