Walk for the Future of Leadership, the Emerald Star Project of six Santa Barbara County 4-H teen leaders, recently raised $7,500 for the club.
The walk was held as an entry in the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade on May 31. Fifty members participated, walking the entire length of the parade with uniforms, banners, and lots of smiles, a press release from the club said.
As an Emerald Star Project, the walk was an opportunity for the leaders to develop their skills beyond the club level as well as receive special recognition for their work. The club requires that the members identify a need and then plan and execute a goal from beginning to end to improve, create, or expand the 4-H program in their community.
The walkathon funds went to the local 4-H club’s youth leadership program committee so it could do more than it currently does.
“They felt the additional funds would allow the program to serve more youth as well as create more opportunities,” Youth Leadership Leader Linda Greco said in the press release. “It was success. We are really looking forward to doing even more next year. This is something that could get bigger and bigger every year.”
