LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska 4-H Foundation is planning an alumni reception from 3-5 p.m. Sept. 3 in the 4-H and FFA Building on the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island.

This is the first time the Nebraska 4-H Foundation is hosting an alumni reception, said Stuart Shepherd, executive director of the Nebraska 4-H Foundation.

“My goal is to reconnect with our 4-H alumni in Nebraska and get them involved as volunteers, leaders and donors,” Shepherd said. “We need to capture their energy, wisdom and passion for 4-H so that Nebraska’s youth will have the opportunity to learn from these experienced and successful 4-H alumni.”

The reception is open to the first 300 respondents and will include cake and ice cream.

To RSVP, alumni can call the Nebraska 4-H Foundation at (402) 472-1178 or email Shepherd at sshepherd3@unl.edu. Those who RSVP before the event will be sent tickets to the reception. Otherwise, tickets will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis.

The reception also will feature a drawing for alumni who submit a story of their 4-H experience. The prize is $1,000 from the Nebraska 4-H Foundation for the winner to award to a county 4-H program of his or her choice.

To be registered for the drawing, alumni need to submit their 4-H story in one of these two ways:

• Go to the Nebraska 4-H Foundation website at http://www.ne4hfoundation.org and click on “Tell us your 4-H story here” to fill out the form.

• Stop by the Nebraska 4-H Foundation booth at one of these six county fairs – Antelope, Buffalo, Burt, Fillmore, Phelps and Wayne counties – throughout the summer, or at the Nebraska State Fair starting Aug. 26.

Alumni have until Sept. 3 to submit their stories for the drawing. The winner will be selected and announced at 4 p.m. at the alumni reception. If the winner is not present at the reception, he or she will be notified via phone or email. Alumni are also encouraged to submit their 4-H stories even after the drawing.

Shepherd said 4-H alumni have contributed to communities all across Nebraska in many ways, such as taking up leadership positions, providing funding to the Nebraska 4-H Foundation and supporting their local county fairs. He said he hoped to see many 4-H alumni at the reception so they can be appreciated.

“This is our largest initiative yet to pay tribute to the positive impact our alumni have had on Nebraska 4-H,” he said. “Now that’s worth celebrating!”