March 9, 2020

News Release

For Immediate Release

EDITOR'S NOTE: Members of the media may contact Jeannette Rea Keywood of the Rutgers 4‑H Youth Development Program by phone at 848-932-3597 or by email at nj4h@njaes.rutgers.edu.

Pay It Fourward 4-H Campaign in JOANN Stores Launched

The Pay It Fourward Campaign kicked off in 865 JOANN stores nationwide on March 1 and will continue through April 30. Supporters will have a chance to show their support of the New Jersey 4‑H Youth Development Program by donating $1 and $4 to the Pay It Fourward campaign to equip local 4‑H programs with resources to reach more kids.

The New Jersey 4‑H Program and JOANN stores want to see more kids learning by doing, creating and making. Thousands of local 4‑H members, staff, volunteers and supporters will join with JOANN customers to ensure more kids get that chance through a Pay It Fourward campaign to bring hands-on 4‑H programs to local youth.

Studies show that many young people lose their natural love of learning somewhere between kindergarten and their senior year of high school. When more youth have access to local 4‑H programming, they will participate in hands-on projects where they can design, create and make for themselves. These experiences are proven to rekindle a love of learning and produce a variety of benefits – from strengthening their creativity and imaginative thinking to improving their motor skills, coordination and self-esteem.

Proceeds from the Pay It Fourward 4‑H Campaign will directly support county 4‑H programs. JOANN customers can purchase a $1 or $4 Tear-away at the register. With the $4 donation, customers will receive a coupon for $4 off their next purchase.

The 4‑H Youth Development Program is part of Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. 4‑H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades K–13 (one year out of high school), on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, marital status, domestic partnership status, military service, veteran status and any other category protected by law.

If you would like more information on how you can become involved in 4‑H, contact the 4‑H office in the county in which you reside or visit the New Jersey 4‑H website at nj4h.rutgers.edu. To learn more about the national 4‑H partnership with JOANN stores, visit www.4-h.org/JOANN.

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Cooperating Agencies: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Boards of County Commissioners. Rutgers Cooperative Extension, a unit of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, is an qual opportunity program provider and employer.

Rutgers New Jersey 4-H Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station