GENEVA, Ill. – Each year, JOANN Fabrics and National 4-H Council team up to empower kids and teens across the nation, and the Geneva store earned top honors this year, raising more than $9,300 during the annual fundraising campaign.

From Jan. 31 to May 1, JOANN clients could choose to support 4-H by adding a donation at the register, and the local store team and community members helped to make Kane County first in the nation.

“4-H is all about kids building lifelong skills – Who wouldn’t want to support that?” said Amy Nesbitt, JOANN store manager for Geneva location. “We want to inspire kids and help them with the tools and resources they need to make and create.”

In fact, during the celebration on June 20, JOANN staff members provided an educational tour for 4-H members and provided a crochet lesson. National 4-H Council and JOANN also provided the store team with an appreciation lunch and plaque to honor their achievement.

The donations go back to 4-H through local, state, and national levels. The partnership between JOANN Fabrics and National 4-H Council strives to empower the next generation of makers by connecting more young people to experiences where they can learn by doing, creating, and making.

“Whether its sewing and painting, or robotics and engineering, 4-H members learn how to try something new, follow directions, make decisions, solve problems, set goals, and tap into their creative side,” said Andrea Farrier, 4-H Youth Development educator serving DuPage, Kane, and Kendall counties. “We appreciate the support of our community and partners like JOANN so we can reach more young people with great opportunities to learn and grow.”

The 4-H members and volunteer joining the celebration represented the Kane County 4-H Club, Fabric Fanatics, which helped spark a 68 percent increase in sewing project enrollment this year.

Throughout the year, JOANN helps 4-H, and its many community-related programs, through product donations and discount programs for current and alumni members, parents of members, volunteers, and 4-H staff. To learn more about the national partnership, visit 4-h.org/support/corporate-foundation-support/joann-fabric-and-craft-stores/. To sign up for a JOANN Rewards Card, go to www.joann.com/4-h. To learn more about 4-H in Kane County, visit go.illinois.edu/info4Hdkk.

ABOUT ILLINOIS 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.