Arkansas 4-H, along with 4-H clubs around the country, are partnering with JOANN Fabrics to engage their respective communities and help raise funds for clubs and activities, according to a news release.
Priscella Thomas-Scott, 4-H events coordinator for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said 4-H clubs in Pulaski, Craighead, Benton, Washington and Sebastian counties visited local JOANN Fabrics stores in February.
Participants created handmade Valentine’s Day cards, which were distributed to hospitals, senior citizen centers and other community centers for the Feb. 14 holiday.
The activity was one of three ways National 4-H is currently partnering with the fabric retail chain. JOANN Fabrics is also offering customers a 4-H Reward card, which gives customers a 15 percent discount on purchases and donates at least 2.5 percent of eligible transactions to National 4-H.
In February, the retailer will also offer Valentine’s Day versions of the 4-H Paper Clover for $1 or $4, which will include instructions for a holiday craft. Thirty percent of the sale of these items will go to National 4-H, and 70 percent will go to to state 4-H programs.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Thomas-Scott said about 15 Pulaski County 4-H members met at the Little Rock JOANN Fabrics to create Valentine’s Day cards.
“This is a great way for Arkansas 4-H to engage our local communities, get some visibility and develop this partnership with JOANN Fabrics,” Thomas-Scott said. “The money that’s raised through the Clover Cards comes back to 4H, and it can be used for any kind of programming.”
To learn about Arkansas 4-H, contact a local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit https://www.uaex.edu/4h-youth/.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without discrimination.