4-H Ontario executive director Wraychel Horne is currently sporting bright green hair highlights to show her support for 4-H Ontario during National 4-H Month.
The annual event runs in November, allowing 4-H members and supporters to celebrate their pride for the organization, including “Show your 4-H Colours Day.”
On Sept. 15, Horne posed a challenge to the 4-H Ontario staff team, Ontario 4-H Council and Ontario 4-H Foundation. If each member made 4-H Ontario his or her charity of choice and donated to the organization before Oct. 15, she would dye her hair green for the entirety of National 4-H Month.
“I wanted to create a challenge to have 100 per cent participation from all 4-H Ontario staff, volunteer council directors and foundation trustees,” Horne said.
“When we are asking other donors to give to 4-H Ontario, it is important to show the credibility that we all make 4-H ‘our charity of choice’,” said Horne.
Her initiative received 100% participation and raised $4,377 for the Ontario 4-H Foundation.
Horne is required to maintain her green hair at all times during the month of November.
She has attended the Royal Winter Fair, made an address at the Provincial Go For The Gold competition, and attended meetings at OMAFRA – all with green hair.
Horne has received quite the response for her vibrant hair colour choice.
“Random strangers talk to me, want to know about the hair, tell me it looks awesome, ask why I have it and even reach out and touch it,” Horne said.
“I’ve been to Farmer’s Markets with my family, in line for a coffee, out Christmas shopping and people have started up conversations with me. It’s been great to explain that ‘it’s fundraiser hair’ and then tell them all about 4-H,” she adds.
While Horne does not planning on making green hair a permanent choice, she is pleased about the positive response and support her hair has garnered for 4-H Ontario.
For more information or to find a local 4-H chapter, visit www.4-hontario.ca.
