Dear North Carolina 4-H Family and Friends,

We hope this message finds you safe and well.

We are deeply touched by the outpouring of love and support we have received from all over the country. As we look to the future and the devastation in our beautiful mountains, we understand that the road to recovery will be long. However, with the support of our neighbors and friends, we are confident that we can rebuild. We are truly grateful for your willingness to help; we are stronger together!

So many have asked how best to help, so we have compiled a list of potential opportunities. Please consider contributing to one of these efforts.

4-H Clover Care Packets

The NC 4-H team suggests that adoptive states, county teams, clubs, families, or individuals create and donate youth activity kits or monetary donations. 4-H Clover

Care kits will provide opportunities for youth to be creative and engage in activities that provide distraction and a time for processing emotions through coloring, writing, or other means of active expression. Here is the SIGNUP LINK to donate 4-H Clover Care packages. This sign-up represents the needs and capacity of our western counties at this time. The sign-up will be updated monthly or as needs change. Please check back often. Kit items that we suggest now include:

Creative Supplies

• Coloring books & crayons/colored pencils: To encourage creativity and help them express their feelings.
• Blank notebooks or journals: For drawing, writing, or journaling to cope with emotions.
• Stickers: Fun and easy to use, adding a playful element to their creativity.

Comfort Items

• New winter clothing items: New hats, gloves, scarves, coats, etc
• Stuffed animals or plush toys: For emotional comfort.
• Small blankets: Cozy and comforting, providing a sense of security.
• Handmade cards or notes: Personal messages of hope and encouragement from others.

Educational & Entertaining Activities

• Puzzle books: Simple crosswords, word searches, or mazes for distraction and mental engagement.
• Card games: Compact and easy-to-learn games like UNO or Go Fish.
• Travel-sized board games: For fun, easy-to-carry games that others can share.
• STEM activity kits: Simple science or engineering activities to stimulate curiosity.

Outdoor Activities

• Bubbles: Easy to play with and lighthearted fun for children of all ages.
• Jump ropes: For physical activity and a way to burn off energy.
• Sidewalk chalk: To encourage outdoor play and creativity.

Emotional Support Resources

• Stress balls: To help manage anxiety and stress.

Monetary Donations: Youth Belong Program Donations

Many NC 4-H Youth lost everything to this storm. They and their families will spend years recovering. Funding for regular fall, winter, and summer activities will be the last thing on their minds. However, the ability to stay connected to their 4-H family will be an essential part of their healing journey. We invite you to donate funds to help youth in Western North Carolina affected by the storm to attend 4-H programs that they will otherwise not be able to afford.Our NC 4-H Honor Club and NC Volunteer Leaders Association are leading this effort. You can make monetary donations by check to either.

• NC 4-H Honor Club / Checks Payable to: NC 4-H Honor Club
  • ATTN: Shannon McCollum, 4-H Youth Dev. Specialist, Box 7655 NCSU, Raleigh, NC 27695-7655
• NC 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association / Checks Payable to: NC 4-H Volunteer Leaders Association
  • ATTN: Diane Sturges, NC4-HVLA Financial Officer, 12156 NC Highway 125, Halifax, NC 27839-9525

• Donations can be earmarked for specific impacted counties or specific 4-H programs. Simply list this on the memo line of your check. Program Areas include Teen Retreats, Overnight Summer Camp, and 4-H Congress. Proceeds will benefit 4-H programs in the West district of North Carolina.
• Options include but are not limited to:
  • Send a Western Youth to 4-H Camp: $560/ camp scholarship for camp registration fee and travel to 4-H overnight camp in summer 2025 for youth from disaster-declared counties.
  • Send a Western Youth to NC 4-H Congress: $300/ 4-H Congress scholarship for the registration fee for summer 2025 for youth from disaster-declared counties.

East to West: Youth Matter

Contact: Coleman Killinger - Carteret County 4-H Agent

East to West: Youth Matter will match youth affected by Hurricane Helene with 4-H Families to receive encouraging notes from November to April.

Click here for more information: East to West Youth Matter Program Flyer.

Click below for a Letter Writing Protocol for those who want to write a note to youth in Western North Carolina.

Letter Writing Protocol

Together, we can bring hope and relief to those in need. We are grateful for your kindness and generosity during this challenging time. If you have questions or need additional information about our hurricane relief programs or the Helpful Hands, Healing Hearts initiative, contact Dr. Mitzi Downing, Assistant State 4-H Leader.