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For most kids, a new backpack means a new place to stash school supplies, books and other learning materials. But for kids being placed in the foster system, a new backpack from Weld County means so much more: comfort, security and realization that someone cared enough to make sure they had items to help them through a trying time. What they might not know, however, is that some of those backpacks were packed not by adults but by other kids.
But it’s not the physical items the backpacks held that conveyed these feelings. It was the consideration and care of another group of young people — Weld County 4-H members — who had a desire to help those going through a difficult time.
“I helped (with a similar project) five years ago, actually,” said Ella Niccoli, New Horizon 4-H Club member. “This project has a direct impact on other youth in my community, and that was something we wanted to accomplish with this project (this year) — youth helping youth.”
Niccoli was one of many across 12 4-H clubs countywide to fill 35 backpacks to be delivered to the Weld County Department of Human Services (DHS). Some of the backpacks were multi-colored, bright and had a stuffed animal ready to comfort an elementary school aged kid. Others were blue, black, green or gray to better suit an older child perhaps in middle or high school. Each was filled with personal care items, a blanket, pajamas and comfort items such as books, stuffed animals or coloring books to ease the transition for kids who have just been placed in the foster care system.
Volunteer projects are not new to 4-H members. Each year, the Weld County 4-H Club’s Youth Executive Council (YEC), which is made up of 11 senior members who are 14- to 18-years old, comes together with the Extension Office to discuss potential volunteer projects to be completed by members. The YEC must complete three projects each year while clubs must complete one. In years past, they’ve chosen to volunteer their time packing food boxes at the Weld County Food Bank, collecting jars of peanut butter to donate to local food banks in events known as Peanut Butter Drives, and offering candy around Halloween via Trunk or Treat events. But this project was different. This project was even more special to these 4-H members.
“Seeing all the backpacks was a wonderful feeling,” explained Niccoli, who also serves as vice president of the YEC. “But delivering them to DHS with a few of my fellow YEC members was the truly special part. Leaving these backpacks filled with love and care for a new foster kid to pick up and knowing that I, and several 4-H members, helped someone — that’s a feeling I’ll never forget!”
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While 4-H’s foundation is in agriculture, the organization focuses on helping grow well-rounded kids who are committed to community and who step up to help put funds raised to good use in completing these types of service projects. They work hard to embody the four “H’s” emblazoned on the organization’s logo — head, heart, hands and health. And this project more than embodies all these traits.
Like Niccoli, Kristine Elliott also first participated in this project five years ago. Leader of the Westward 4-H Club, she’s proud of her club members for stepping up to fill four backpacks. Just as 4-H club members volunteered by filling the backpacks, the backpacks themselves, as well as the items inside them, were donated by 4-H families.
“As club leader, I thought this was a good opportunity to have the members learn to give back to their community,” Elliott said, further explaining why she thought it important to get involved in the project herself for a second time. “I participated as well, because the 4-H motto is Learning by Doing, and what better way to have these kids learn than to see their leader doing?”
For Kelly Krause, Weld County DHS Foster Care Supervisor, this project was a huge help to foster care youth and showed the compassion others can give to youth in need.
“We are very thankful to the young people in our community who think of other children who may have needs,” Krause said. “Just recently, two teenage girls were being placed in the system, and I took them to where we house the bags at DHS, and they were really excited and couldn’t wait to get into the bags to see what was in them.”
That excitement on their faces is what stands out in Krause’s mind and adds another element to the efforts of 4-H members: making a positive difference.
“It’s the neatest thing to see — that joy in such a difficult time,” Krause said.
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By Shaley Dehner, Weld County Communications Specialist
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