Colchester 4-H members receive continued support

TRURO, N.S. — Members of 4-H in Colchester County feel the continued support from the group, even after they’ve gone on to university. 
All who go on to post-secondary education receive a bursary to help them out each year. 
“It helped me purchase books and relieved some stress,” said Sidney Patton, who has been studying public relations at Mount Saint Vincent University. “Everything helps and it’s nice to have support.”
Alyssa Mills, who is majoring in English at Acadia, put her bursary toward tuition.
Fundraising is done to raise money for bursaries each year, and Fundy Veterinarians sponsored the most recent effort by providing a $1,500 Sobeys gift card.
“For me it’s kind of personal,” said Dr. Trevor Lawson of Fundy Veterinarians. “I was in 4-H, in Rexton, New Brunswick, as a kid and I look back on that time fondly. It was a great way to build relationships and learn.”
Lawson honed his public speaking skills in 4-H and showed his uncle’s dairy cattle.
“We helped with fundraising for the 4-H barn renovations and when I talked to them about their needs this year the bursary program came up. They’ve done a good job with it. Colchester County 4-H is very organized and has a large group of volunteers and kids. We’re committed to continue working with them.”
The last bursaries given out were worth about $300 each.
Patton said whenever she gets back home for the summer she gets involved in 4-H activities again.
“I think it’s great,” she said. “It’s given me the confidence I need to go and do things.”
Mills, too, enjoys being back around the animals during her holidays.
“Being part of this has allowed me to be around animals and meet new people, which I enjoy,” she said. “It’s helped me with public speaking; I can speak in front of a group of people now.”