For Immediate Release: March 27, 2012
Contact: Cathy Blunier, Extension Unit Educator, 4-H Youth Development
Livingston, McLean and Woodford Counties, 309-467-3789, cblunier@illinois.edu
4-H Shooting Sports Committee Accepts Donation
Joe Bolen from the Odell Sportsmen’s Club recently presented a $500 check to the
Livingston County 4-H Shooting Sports program.
The National 4-H Shooting Sports Program has been in existence since the mid 1970s,
and Livingston County 4-H is looking forward to adding the project to the long list of
projects 4-H members can choose from.
Youth development is the number one goal of the Shooting Sports Program. The
program is an excellent way to provide life skill development and to establish a caring
relationship with an adult mentor. The program will help to promote self-confidence,
responsibility, teamwork, self-esteem, decision-making and the identification of realistic
personal goals.
As the program evolves, 4-H members will have opportunities to test their shooting and
sportsmanship skills in county, regional, state and national competitions. 4-Hers in the
national program have demonstrated high achievement in the field, in the classroom
and on the target range—but personal development for young people and adult leaders
is the real objective. The program will strive to make every child a winner and to adhere
to the 4-H motto to “make the best better.”
Currently, Livingston County 4-H will be offering air rifle and shotgun with hopes to add
archery soon.
Youth must be 8 to 18 years of age as of September 1, 2011 to become a 4-H member
and enroll in the air rifle project. Youth must be at least 10 years of age to participate in
the shotgun project. Youth interested in participating should call the University of Illinois
Extension Office at 842-1776.
Donations for the 4-H Shooting Sports Program have also been received from Stoller
Implement of Pontiac, Kelly Sauder Rupiper of Pontiac, Odell TABS, Pontiac RV,
Anthony Liftgates of Pontiac, and the Illinois 4-H Foundation.