4-H'ers from Vernon Parish provided leadership to Christmas with a Trooper Service-Learning Project. The project goals were to raise enough funds to support a worthwhile effort, to share the need for the project with others in our community and school and to have a State Trooper to share information at a 4-H Club meeting.

The need for donations to Christmas with a Trooper was shared with our 4-H Club five years ago through a local trooper. The toys and funds collected are used to distribute toys to children on Christmas Eve in the Leesville, Alexandria and DeRidder areas who are in the hospital. 4-H'ers shared their goals with the school and community. Then, they raised funds for the activity through candle sales. Next, they invited troopers to a club meeting so that they could share goals. The youth purchased toys with funds raised and donations. Lastly, they donated the toys to State Troopers.

4-H'ers learned from the community that they were impressed with the efforts of the youth. It was a great feeling to help youth who are experiencing a hospital stay through the holidays. Many people were very generous, especially when they learned that it is youth-related. To celebrate the success of this project, there was a pizza party for all who brought in a donation, a toy or money or sold candles. The toys were given to the troopers from Troop E. While at the pizza party, 4-H'ers were able to share experiences and look at different ways to expand on project for next year. This project lasted 35 hours and served 100 people as of 12/26/2009.