4H Teens Spark Ripples of Good Deeds in their Communities Through "Wicked for Good" Campaign
Last fall, National 4-H Week launched an innovative campaign that asked 4-H teens to create ripples of good deeds in their communities. Called the "Wicked for Good 4-H campaign," this effort ran from October 9 to November 21, when the movie "Wicked: for Good" hit theaters. The campaign moved youth to be a spark of kindness and do "Wickedly good" acts throughout Virginia by helping others, giving back to their communities, and honoring the people who helped them in their journeys. As stories flooded social media of teens sharing their good deeds and heart hands with the hashtag #4HForGood, youth inspired their peers to do wickedly good things, themselves.
The results showed the great work of 4-H'ers all across Virginia. Nelson County teens led junior club meetings, and short videos highlighted acts of kindness like teens crafting flowers to give to others, and a student making her teacher's day by handing her a handwritten note that said "have a great day on purpose." In VSU's home city of Petersburg, the Petersburg High School Jr. ROTC put on reflective vests and picked up trash along their adopted street, assembled toiletry care bags to donate to a nursing home, and conducted a winter coat drive. Batallion S5 Captain James said, "We're doing this coat drive to give back to the community, so people have warm apparel for the upcoming fall and winter." Each video reflected youth leadership and civic engagement, with the Heart and Hand of the 4-H motto at the center of each effort to make positive differences.
4-H-ers from multiple counties helped provide food to their communities by running food drives or collaborating with local food pantries to sort donations. Brunswick County 4-H Teens collaborated with Lawrenceville Food Pantry, which serves 300 families each month, to sort donations of healthy packaged produce and canned goods. Prince George 4-H teens ran a food drive outside of a local grocery store. One shopper donated food items and commented, "This is wonderful. You supply the community, and this gives me hope in the world." At a time when many families are struggling with food insecurity, the generosity of neighbors was touching. A woman said that while she only had $2.00 for the rest of the week, she would go home and come back with canned goods to donate. True to her word, she returned to share what she could. "I know what it's like to have no food," she said. The teens received more donations than they anticipated. "It's amazing to me how people are just coming up to us without us having to ask about donating," one teen said. "They're just so helpful, wanting to donate to the food drive." This observation embodies the spirit of the campaign, with ripples of good spreading through communities across Virginia.
In James City County, 4-H teens created a "Beyond Ready 4Good 4-H Changemaker Award" for people who had been "wickedly good" or made an impact in the 4-H-ers lives. These youth made videos celebrating the award, which they have already awarded to parents, teachers and other mentors. "We're recognizing people who've inspired, guided and supported us," the youth in the video say. "People whose kindness, encouragement and belief in young leaders have truly changed a 4H member For Good. This challenge reminds us that being 4-H Beyond Ready means we're ready to lead with heart, take action with purpose and inspire others through kindness."
On Friday, November 21, Virginia State University's 4-H youth came together for the "4-H for Good" event, a powerful celebration of service, kindness and youth voice. The event, led by 4-H Extension Specialist Dr. Cherise Cobb and Extension and College of Agriculture leadership, reflected on how youth did wickedly good things throughout the Wicked for Good 4-H campaign. "The 4-H for Good event was a reminder that when young people are given a platform, they lead with compassion, courage, and purpose," says Dr. Cobb. "Their voices and actions truly showed that doing good and doing it together can make a lasting impact."
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