4-H Members Leave their Mark on the Triangle

Hundreds of teenagers are in Raleigh this week for the annual North Carolina4-H Congress. Members are learning how to give back to their communities and spent Wednesday doing just that.

One4-Hservice project team spent the day painting over a year's worth of graffiti inN.C. State University'sFree Expression Tunnel.

"We're just trying to get the 4-H'ers back involved in community service and emphasize just how much they are participating in service projects throughout the state of North Carolina," says Clifton Smith, N.C. 4-H president.

The green-shirted volunteers also sorted through boxes at the Food Bank of North Carolina. Members say the work is fun and rewarding.

"It helps other people in need. It makes you feel real good that you get to do that for them," says Tracey Boyette, a 4-H member from Greensboro.

"You know that you're giving back to your community and you know that you're helping out in some way," says Melissa Lane, a 4-H member from Goldsboro.

Food Bank workers are always glad to see big groups of volunteers. Even though the 4-H help only lasts one day, Food Bank volunteer coordinator Katy Eyes hopes this experience will inspire a lifetime of service.

"They're not from this area, so we expect, hopefully, they'll go back and work with pantries or soup kitchens in their local area, or maybe they'll sponsor a canned food drive, something like that," says Eyes.

About 800 members are participating in the 4-H Congress, which continues through Friday. The program is organized through theNorth Carolina Cooperative Extension Service.