Bryan County 4-H members began the celebration of National 4-H Week, observed Oct. 7-13, with an announcement of the poster-contest winners. Kaci Romano of Bryan County Elementary won first place, Bailey Lopata of George Washington Carver Elementary earned second place, and Courtney Minis of BCES was in third place. The posters were displayed throughout the week in the window of the UGA extension office’s window.

Club members attended the Pembroke City Council meeting Oct. 8 to lead the Pledge of Allegiance and give the invocation. Bryan County Extension Coordinator Shanna Waters Davis accompanied 4-H members Vanessa Wilson and Allison Waters. Vanessa is a ninth-grade 4-H’er and a corporal on Bryan County High School’s JROTC. She has been in 4-H since the fifth grade and is active in Project S.A.F.E. and the livestock program. Allison, also a ninth-grade 4-H’er, has competed in 4-H Project Achievement for four years. Allison’s project, “Bullying – the Not-So-Silent-Killer,” explains how bullying victims lose out on friendships, education, money, health and more. She recently was featured on www.StopBullying.gov and has continued to help others by sharing her story.

Inclement weather prevented the 4-H’ers from “Walk a Mile and Wear Green.” Members were to walk a mile while wearing something green and text 4HWALKS to 50555 to receive recognition.

More 4-H’ers attended the Bryan County Commission meeting Oct. 9, where they were recognized for attending Georgia Youth Summit. Participants presented a poster they made prior to attending the summit. The poster included demographic information about Bryan County, including the average age of residents, largest employer, education level and average salary. A highlight of the poster is a logo the 4-H’ers hope will be used by the county using a Ford Model T, an old locomotive, a United States flag and an Army soldier. The poster was titled “Bryan County –the Best of Both Worlds.” The commissioners proclaimed the week Bryan County and National 4-H week; a proclamation honoring the contributions made by the program in Bryan County was signed. Commissioner Carter Infinger announced he recently signed a request that the state not reduce the extension budget. There have been 216 extension positions lost since 2009, thus making 31 counties completely without a full-time agent. To date, 105 of 159 Georgia counties have had to reduce and/or alter their staffing patterns as a result of the cuts. The 4-H’ers prepared refreshments for the commissioners before the board went into closed session.

On Oct. 11, 4-H'ers gathered at the 4-H Office in Pembroke to make signs for their weekend bucket drive.

On Oct. 12, 4-H’ers, families and friends were asked to donate as many pop tabs as possible and text POPTAB to 50555. Each April, Bryan County 4-H donates tabs to the Ronald McDonald House in Savannah. Local 4-H’ers are trying to break their record of just fewer than 400 pounds. After texting the numbers, donors would be asked how many tabs they donated. All donors got a thank-you message sent to their phone. To donate tabs, call 653-2231 to arrange pick-up or take them to 131 N. College St. in Pembroke.

The last day of celebrating, Oct. 13, featured volunteers, staff and 4-H’ers lining the sidewalks of Pembroke to hold a bucket drive. Red buckets with Georgia Bulldog pictures and green clovers welcomed drivers as they approached traffic lights. One 4-H’er held a sign that read “I’m Big on 4-H.” All proceeds go towards programming and to reduce costs for 4-H’ers to attend activities, competitions and events. All 4-H’ers, staff and volunteers thank those who supported the bucket drive.

Bryan County 4-H meets in Richmond Hill and Pembroke. For more information, call 653-2231.