4-H groups help Western Iowa flood victims

MARION – Linn County 4-H Clubs have devised a plan to help families on the other side of the state. They've started a collection to help flood victims in Western Iowa.

The Linn County 4-H Youth Coordinator, Tricia Rew, recently emailed club leaders. She mentioned starting a collection to help flood victims near her hometown, which is by the Missouri River.

“So I said what can I do to help those families that I had grown up with?” Rew said.

From there, items started pouring in.

“We had a local company donate cleaning products, we had a Girl Scout troop donate a lot of backpacks full of supplies,” said Rew.

Stacks of boxes filled the storage closet at the Linn County Extension Office.

Rew said 4-Hers have helped any way they can. One group leader even asked for donations instead of gifts from coworkers for her 40th birthday.

“I put it out as a challenge to my bank to give me items instead of giving me junk, and I was just flooded with donations,” said 4-H Group Leader June Crow-Schrader.

Young participants also offered a helping hand, knowing others were struggling.

“They pretty much lost everything that they have,” said 4-H participant AJ Crow-Schrader.

Rew is loading her car and making trips home every couple of weekends. She has already made one and is ready to make many more.

“This hits home for a lot of [local 4-h members] because they were affected by the flooding event that happened here, so they were quick to respond,” Rew said.

The effort will continue throughout the summer. Contact the Linn County Extension Office in Marion to help out.