By Kevin Spradlin
PeeDeePost.com
DeLani Reep might not ever see the fruit of her labor, but she should know she’s made an impact.
Reep, a rising high school freshman at the Ninth Grade Academy, collected the most stuffed animals, blankets and books that will be distributed to homeless children. The collection was part of her 4-H Community Project; she and Richmond County 4-H Youth Development agent Laura Grier drove the collected items to Raleigh on Monday for the start of the North Carolina 4-H Citizenship Focus three-day conference.
The collection was a part of Operation Night Night, Sleep Tight.
“Everyone can agree that every baby and child deserves home where thy are safe and nurtured,” Reep told The Pee Dee Post. “Unfortunately, many children in our very own county and state don’t have this … as a 4-H’er I can’t buy each family a house, but I can do something to at least bring a bit of comfort to homeless children.”
Reep was recognized at the conference for having collected the most items for homeless children between May 26 and June 12. Local businesses, including The Berry Patch in Ellerbe, and The Grab Thrift Shop and Carla’s Country Day Care, both in Hamlet, served as drop-off locations.
Reep said The Berry Patch had to call her two or three times a week to come pick up items from an overloaded donation box.
The three-day conference included a panel of subject-matter experts that talked about today’s hot-button political issues — including a lot about same-sex marriage, Reep said. Reep, who turns 14 on July 9, also met with Sen. Tom McInnis, Rep. Garland Pierce and Rep. Ken Goodman. She had breakfast with McInnis and Pierce on Wednesday morning before heading back to her Hamlet home.
Reep is active with the 4-H Teen Council, a longtime goat show veteran — the Richmond County show is scheduled for Sept. 12 — and will be headed back to Raleigh from July 18 to July 21 for the North Carolina 4-H Congress. There, Reep will be one of nearly 800 youth ranging in age from 13 to 18 and representing very county to experience leadership workshops, recreational activities and make friends for a lifetime.
Reep said she also plans to volunteer at various Millstone 4-H youth camps this summer.
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