Children learn the importance of donating

By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter

The Standard 4-H Sheep Club took their youth programming a philanthropic step further during their annual wind-up meeting on June 25 – they invited a special guest to speak to club members about why it is important to donate.
4-H Alberta programming encourages youth to learn through active participation of projects, programs and community service and to “learn to do by doing,” while also striving to educate youth to become leaders and engaged citizens.
The club in Standard recognizes this by encouraging members to participate in several community service initiatives, both through organized club activities and personal opportunities.
Although the club has often supported one young child each year to raise a charity lamb – where the proceeds made through the auction of the lamb would go to a charity of the child’s choice – this is the first year the club has made a cognizant decision to teach members where the money goes and why it is important to donate to charity.
This year’s charity lamb was raised by eight-year-old Kaitlyn Klemmensen, who decided to donate the $4,120.50 raised by her charity lamb to the Alberta Children’s Hospital through the Kids Helping Kids campaign. The lamb was auctioned off during the annual West Wheatland 4-H Show and Sale on June 6.
“I like to help give money to people, like for the children’s hospital; there’s kids in there and it’s nice to help them,” said Klemmensen.
At the June 25 wind-up meeting, Jordyn Semeniuk, Kids Helping Kids program coordinator with the Alberta Children’s Hospital, spoke to club members.
“I think this program really teaches them about giving back at a young age and helps them get involved in their community. The kids here are so young and they’re such big leaders already… I think it’s really important that kids see the impact of their gift and they understand where it goes and how it’s used,” said Semeniuk, who added the funds will go towards equipment, research and special programs.
Last year, approximately 800 children participated in the Kids Helping Kids program, raising over $500,000.
“The kids are the true spirit of philanthropy. They don’t have motives, they just give because they have good hearts… it’s really special, it all adds up,” said Semeniuk.
The Standard 4-H Sheep Club hopes they can continue the special meeting programming each year so its members have the same opportunities to learn about the difference their donation makes.