Attending the AT&T check presentation for $25,000 to the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center Multipurpose Building Project are, from left, Louisiana AT&T Regional External Affairs Director Rick Demint, LSU AgCenter Vice Chancellor Paul Coreil, Grant Walker Educational Center Director Kim Landry, Louisiana 4-H Foundation Executive Director Eric Eskew.

4-Her’s gave testimonials prior to the check presentation about what the 4-H camping program meant to them. Pictured from left with Louisiana AT&T Regional External Affairs Director, Rick Demint are 4-H'ers Jesse Elliott, Beauregard Parish; Peyton Arthur, Vernon Parish; Bethany Rhodes, Union Parish; Kelsey Johnson and Kaylee Fontenot, Beauregard Parish; and Kaelin Maloid, Pointe Coupee Parish.

News Release Distributed 10/19/11

POLLOCK, La. – AT&T Louisiana donated $25,000 on Oct. 14 to the Grant Walker 4-H Educational Center Multipurpose Building Project.

The 4-H camp facility continues to be one of the Louisiana 4-H program’s strongest assets and is popular among all ages of our members, said Paul Coreil, LSU AgCenter vice chancellor. Because camp is so popular, it stays packed with kids, and the facility does not have one building that can hold all camp attendees at one time, he said.

Youth come to camp to learn about being a good citizen, contributing to the community, character, nutrition, health and the sciences, Coreil said.

4-H Camp, an educational program of the LSU AgCenter, features approximately 100 acres of outdoor recreation, educational building, climate-controlled cabins, bath facilities, a kitchen with a spacious dining hall, classrooms and outdoor pavilions. Camp Grant Walker also offers a swimming pool, archery and shooting range, and creek for canoeing.

“Ask any 4-H’er what they remember about being in 4-H and they will say camp,” said Kim Landry, camp director.

A group of 4-H’ers were on hand to personally thank AT&T for its generous donation.

Peyton Arthur, a Vernon Parish 4-H’er, said he was apprehensive to attend camp at first, but learned life stills, social skills and etiquette. “I met so many people still in my life today,” he said.

“I love 4-H. It introduced me to all my friends,” said Pointe Coupee Parish 4-H’er Kayelin Maloid.

“I hope the friends I meet and things I learn will stay with me forever,” said Bethany Rhodes, of Union Parish.

“You get to do stuff you won’t normally do at your house,” added Kelsey Johnson, of Beauregard Parish.

Jesse Elliott, also of Beauregard Parish, said listing his favorite memories of camp would take forever. “I will never forget it, and I’ll never be the same because of it.”

“These young people are what it is all about,” said Danny Wilson, state legislative director for AT&T. With more than 12,000 employees and retirees, Louisiana AT&T is very appreciative of what 4-H is doing, he said.

“It is important to develop leadership today, tomorrow and years from now,” Coreil said. “Even though the camp is in Pollock, it belongs to all 64 parishes.”

“AT&T is an example of the partnership we need to support the 4-H program and the educational impact it has on our state,” said Eric Eskew, director of the Louisiana 4-H Foundation.

For more information on the 4-H Camp Multipurpose Building Project or how to support the Louisiana 4-H Youth Development Program, visit www.la4Hfoundation.org or call 225-578-2972.

Mary Ann Van Osdell