Strategic Staffing Solutions is committed to helping the next generation prepare for success. So when one its customers asked for support for 4-H, S3 jumped at the chance.
Cindy Pasky
S3 was one of the sponsors at the National 4-H Council’s 5th annual Legacy Awards Gala recently held at the Newseum in Washington, DC.
“S3 is all about helping set children on the right course to succeed in life,” said Cindy Pasky, president and CEO. “4-H works with them to shape that course, define their place in the in the world and learn to stand up for themselves, their community and those less fortunate. It is a perfect fit for S3. Like 4-H we want to make the best better and we have pledged our heads to clearer thinking, our hearts to greater loyalty, our hands larger service and our health to better living.”
Pasky and two other S3 executives, Allen Coleman, executive vice president, and Jeff Nelson, vice president, attended the event. In addition, the ambassadors from Latvia and Lithuania to the US Andris Razans and Zygmantas Pavilionis respectively attended the gala. S³ has branches in both those countries.
L-R; Andris Razans, ambassador to US from Latvia, Allen Coleman, Cindy Pasky, and Zygmantas Pavilionis, ambassador to the US from Lithuania
Funds from the 4-H Legacy Awards Gala are used by the National 4-H Council to increase access and the opportunity for more young people to grow through a 4-H experience. This includes:
- Increasing programming in both urban and rural areas in the US
- Building global partnerships and connecting U.S. 4-H youth to 4-H’ers on other continents
- Preparing youth for STEM-based jobs, creating a healthier world and ensuring a food secure planet
At an early age, participation in 4-H encourages a love of agriculture and helps children begin to develop leadership skills that will help them succeed throughout their lives. Research shows 4-Hers are nearly four times more likely than their peers to contribute to their communities, two times more likely to make healthy choices and two times more likely to participate in science programs outside of school. In addition, 4-H girls are two times more likely (Grade 10) and nearly three times more likely (Grade 12) to take part in science programs compared to girls in other out-of-school time activities.
The National 4-H Council pledges to share 4-H programs broadly and to amplify the urgent need for investment in youth. More than 6 million youth, ages 8-19, are currently engaged in 4-H projects in the areas of citizenship, science and healthy living under the guidance of more than half a million adult volunteers.
While most of us think of 4-H as a program for rural communities, that’s just not so. Youth in urban and suburban areas are also engaged in the positive 4-H experience. In fact, 4-H is one of the largest youth development organizations in the world. Its Facebook page has more than 500,000 followers.
Allen Coleman with celebrity chef Anne Burrell
“As America’s largest youth development organization, 4-H helps grow remarkable young people into confident adults with purpose,” said Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO, National 4-H Council.
The organization has some pretty spectacular alumni including Andrew Bosworth, vice president of ads and pages at Facebook and inventor of the social media site’s popular “news feed,” and Anne Burrell, celebrity chef, author and Food Network host. They received Distinguished Alumni medallions at the gala.
“Every year, the 4-H Legacy Awards gives us an opportunity to shine a light on the dynamic alumni, young people, professionals, donors and public figures who make the 4-H experience one that is life-changing,” said Sirangelo.
Just for the record one of every 7 adult Americans is a former 4-Her. Other famous former 4-Hers include David Letterman, Julie Roberts, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Alan Shepherd, Roy Rogers, Johnny Carson, Al Gore, Faith Hill, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Lamar Alexander, Herschel Walker, Reggie White, Orville Redenbacher and Roslyn and Jimmy Carter.
4-H programs are implemented by the 109 land-grant universities and cooperative extension in the US through more than 3,000 local offices serving every county and parish in the country. Outside the United States, 4-H programs operate through independent, country-led organizations in more than 50 countries.
