Inside Iowa State

July 2, 2009

Helping Hands

by Erin Rosacker

The state 4-H Youth Conference, on campus June 30 through July 2, brought 960 teens to Iowa State for a series of workshops, speakers, entertainment and socializing. The conference also brought an army of 960 volunteers who participated in community service projects throughout the area on Wednesday.

Community service is part of the conference agenda, giving Iowa State and area organizations literally hundreds of helping hands. Campus projects included:

• Mulching shrub beds near LeBaron and MacKay halls (above)
• Distributing new bookends throughout Parks Library (above right)

Groups of 4-Hers also were dispatched to other area locations, including the Ames Public Library, the ISU Childcare Center, LifePointe Church and Ledges State Park.

"One of the goals is to impact others through service," said ISU Extension program specialist Brenda Allen. "We hope young people get ideas and it sparks enthusiasm to take these ideas back to their communities."

As part of conference events, high school participants at the annual 4-H conference spread out across the greater Ames area Wednesday afternoon to complete service projects. Photos by Bob Elbert.