Iowa 4-H Foundation to honor 4-H supporters at gala

AMES ? To celebrate the impact of Iowa 4-H and to honor four supporters of the program, the Iowa 4-H Foundation will host the Iowa 4-H Legacy Awards Gala.

Slated for 6 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Embassy Club West, in West Des Moines, the signature fundraising event will showcase Iowa 4-H and raise funds to support the program.

The evening will feature interactive 4-H exhibits, entertainment by talented 4-H?ers, dinner and an awards ceremony. Throughout the course of the evening, four supporters of the 4-H Program will be honored:

? Corporate Partner: Iowa Farm Bureau, West Des Moines;

? Individual Supporters: Glen and Mary Jo Mente of Ames;

? Outstanding Alum: Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey; and

? Contributing Youth: Morgan Border of Fort Dodge.

?We?re thrilled to host this new event to celebrate 4-H,? said Albert Grunenwald, Iowa 4-H Foundation executive director. ?We look forward to honoring these outstanding supporters and highlighting the great experiences that all youth can have through Iowa 4-H. We are thankful for the generous sponsors and individual donors who make this event possible.?

Attendees will have an opportunity to make a contribution to support Iowa 4-H during the dessert auction and Fund-a-Need portion of the evening. Dollars raised support the Iowa 4-H Foundation?s mission to fund 4-H youth programs delivered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and to provide other opportunities ? state recognition, national 4-H trips, college scholarships and special programs, which enhance the Iowa 4-H experience.

Event admission is $100 a person or $1,000 for a table sponsorship, which includes admission for eight.

Registration must be made before Friday. More information on the upcoming gala and registration can be found at www.iowa4hfoundation.org/awards.

The Iowa 4-H Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides private financial resources to develop and deliver quality 4-H youth programs to more than 100,000 young people throughout the state of Iowa, including those in Jefferson and Van Buren counties..

The programs and opportunities help enhance 4-H?ers? ability to use critical thinking, leadership, communication, and social skills.

In 2015, the Iowa 4-H Foundation invested more than $1.2 million to support Iowa 4-H?ers.