A Thank You from the Westgate Family
#4happreciatesyou #4hgrowshere

All 4-H events scheduled now through May 15 must be cancelled, postponed or held virtually. This is a statewide notice. The current situation is dynamic and changes daily, and may require an additional extension beyond May 15.

At this time, all summer activities beyond May 15 remain as planned. We know that 4-H camps, club meetings, and junior fair participation are highlights of the 4-H experience and it is our hope that we will continue these programming efforts as scheduled or with some modification – more information will be forthcoming.

Project book production has ceased for the time being, therefore we are not able to provide books to youth just yet. Please be patient – the state 4-H office is working diligently to come up with a solution.

Please know that we are here to help and will do our best to answer any questions you may have. We encourage you to call us at 419-354-9050 or drop us an email at roth.4@osu.edu, morlock.3@osu.edu or dewese.6@osu.edu We will get through this together!

Continue to send us your thank you postings recognizing our essential workers! This kind gesture means the world to those we are reaching! #4happreciatesyou #4hgrowshere #InspireKidstoDo

More thank you postings to share! Be sure to also share them on your public pages, with the organizations and individuals, and send them to us! You can post them in the comment section here, or email them to morlock.3@osu.edu. Let’s continue to share our appreciation for the essential people who are keeping our communities and families strong! #4happreciatesyou #4hgrowshere #InspireKidsToDo

Attention Wood County 4-H Members, Volunteers, Clubs, Alumni and Friends! Let’s start an Essential Workers Thank You Challenge! Make thank you notes for any essential workers and post it on social media! Let’s flood our screens with how thankful we are for the services of the individuals and companies who are keeping us going in these challenging times. It’s all about appreciating and recognizing others. This is a great way to pledge our “hands to larger service” virtually! Remember when making your post to tag those you are thanking and make your postings shareable. Post on all your pages! Spread the word, share, let’s make others happy! #4happreciatesyou #ODOT

If you have supplies at home (please do not break stay at home rule from the state of Ohio) and can help, here are some requests for sewing fabric masks in the area. Please know there are numerous patterns, supplies, and instructions posted online but it is important to visit the links or contact each organization by email or phone and follow their specific directions. Remember, tightly woven 100% cotton is high quality cotton fabric.

For information locally in Wood County, please visit the Facebook page for Grounds For Thought coffee shop. For St. Luke’s in Maumee visit their Facebook page also.

March 11, 2020 (updated)

Attention: 4-H Members, Family members and Volunteers

As you may be aware, The Ohio State University has announced the suspension of face-to-face instruction of lectures, discussion sections, seminars, and other similar classroom settings, and the move to virtual instruction effective immediately through March 31. Events deemed nonessential are postponed between now and April 20.There will be evaluation whether they should continue in person beyond this time. Our primary concern is for the health and safety of all our people. Virtual meetings are encouraged.

Based on these guidelines, all 4-H Clubs must postpone/cancel all face-to-face meetings now and until April 20.

In addition to all 4-H club meetings, the following list of 4-H events qualify as non-essential between now and April 20. Based on these guidelines, these non-essential activities must be postponed/cancelled or held virtually. Examples include (this list is not exhaustive and subject to change at any notice):

4-H committees, including advisory, saddle horse, endowment, etc.

Club kick-offs, open houses, etc.

Community service projects

Educational clinics

Events put on by advisory or county committees or clubs, including fundraisers

Social events (egg hunts, square dances)

Teen leader groups

NOTE: Senior Fair Board will need to make the determination for fair-related committees.

One of the best ways to prevent the spread of viral illnesses is to minimize the circumstances in which individuals might interact and transmit the diseases. The safety of our community is our top priority. We realize that our COVID-19 policy guidelines will cause disruption, but the risk of not acting outweighs the inconvenience of these temporary measures. We will share updates as more information becomes available.

The Wood County Extension Office Is operating on an appointment only basis; however, all personnel are actively working. We ask that you please call or email to talk or schedule a time to meet.  4-H Advisors should schedule an appointment to pick up project books during the next few weeks. We will stay in touch with everyone through multiple means of communication (email, website, Facebook, Twitter and blog) as we keep the wheels of the 4-H train moving forward.

Please read through the following date changes and mark your calendar accordingly.

Changes in scheduling through April 20:

• The 4-H Enrollment Deadline will be extended to April 15^th. All project changes must also be made by this date.
• 4-H Camp Scholarship forms – due April 1. You can email or mail your forms to: OSU Extension, Wood County – 639 S. Dunbridge Rd, BG OH 43402
• The Inspire Kids’ to Do Grant – due April 15
• Camper Round-up– cancelled April 16- rescheduled May 5 (Registration material will be located on the 4-H website as early as March 20.)
• County program/committee meeting changes:
  CarTeens- cancelled March 11- rescheduled April 28
  Jr/Sr Camp Counselor Training- cancelled March 12- rescheduled April 21
  4-H Committee- cancelled March 31- not rescheduled
  Quality Assurance Volunteer Training- cancelled March 17- not rescheduled
  Leadership Board- cancelled March 31- rescheduled May 7 (Teen dance at fairgrounds!)

You can contact us by phone or email at any time.

Office phone             419-354-9050

Jayne Roth                roth.4@osu.edu                 direct line: 419-819-3076

Jenny Morlock          morlock.3@osu.edu         direct line: 419-819-3074

Deb Dewese             dewese.6@osu.edu            direct line: 419-819-3070

Sincerely,

Jayne Roth

Extension Educator
4-H Youth Development

Attention 4-H Members, Families and Volunteers,

OSU Extension, through consultation with Ohio State University leadership, is being advised to limit large group meetings for the next month in response to COVID-19. This is a daunting task with many programs including 4-H clubs, committee meetings, and county-wide groups. Please read through the following date changes and mark your calendar accordingly.

Changes in scheduling for the next 4-6 weeks:
• The 4-H Enrollment Deadline will be extended to April 15th. All project changes must be made by this date as well.
• 4-H Camp Scholarship forms are now due April 1. You can mail your forms to: OSU Extension, Wood County – 639 S. Dunbridge Rd, BG OH 43402
• We would encourage 4-H Clubs to refrain from face-to-face meetings until mid-April. Our primary concern is for the health and safety of all our people.