Donations made to Alabama 4-H and the Troy Arts Council on “Alabama Gives Day” Feb. 2, will benefit both organizations.

“Alabama Gives Day” is a statewide online giving day and Alabama 4-H Club Foundation, Inc. is one of the many nonprofit organizations participating in the statewide effort to give to nonprofits. The Alabama Association of Nonprofits and the Alabama Broadcasters Association partners in asking people to give online during this 24-hour period.

When donors go online, they will be directed though the necessary steps to make sure their donation goes to their place of choice.

All donations made to 4-H by Pike County residents at www.Alabama4H.com.

will be directed to the Pike County 4-H program. Donors who live outside Pike County but want their donations to benefit the Pike County 4-H will have to make that designation. Grant Lyons, Pike County Extension coordinator, said 4-H does not charge membership fees and reduces the cost of program and event fees to ensure Alabama youth can participate.”

“Donations made to county 4-H programs will make it possible to expand educational programs, lower program fees and offer more opportunities for youth,” Lyons said. “Money raised from Pike County donors during Alabama Gives Day will be directed to specialty clubs and other 4-H programs.

“One club that will benefit will be the Junior Master Gardeners Club at Charles Henderson High School. Currently, this club has a very small garden and we would like to expand it in order to give the kids opportunities to become more involved with the gardening efforts. The donations will also allow us to purchase supplies and equipment to add gardening space. This addition will not only benefit the cub but the entire school.

Funds may also be used to provide opportunities to attend 4-H summer camp for those for whom fees or transportation would be an issue.”

The Troy Arts Council is actively seeking support for its school programming but won’t be listed on the Alabama Gives Day website.

“We didn’t have the final paperwork from the IRS in order to get on their list, so we’re urging folks in our area to remember that we’re here,” said council member John Jinright.

“We’re specifically looking for donors to sponsor special theater performances in the local elementary schools, grades K-4.  We’d love to raise enough money to reach out to all our area schools.

“For a $400 donation, we will publicize you as the official sponsor of the event at the school and in all press releases, and all printed materials throughout our fine arts season.  Additionally, you can pick the school, if we don’t already have a sponsor.”

Alabama 4-H is the state’s largest youth education organization, reaching 84,000 youths annually through 1,700 clubs.