By CARMEN LINDSEY

carmen.lindsey@gaflnews.com

CORDELE — Local Crisp County 4-H’ers are planning trips to camps at Camp Rock Eagle in Eatonton, Camp Jekyll Island on Jekyll Island and Camp Burton on Tibee Island this summer and they need help from the community to raise enough funds to go.

“In order to alleviate the stress on families, Crisp County 4-H has organized a vidalia onion fundraiser,” says Cheri Whitehurst, Crisp County 4-H agent. “This is the first time 4-H’ers have sold vidalia onions, and we hope it is a success.”

A 10-pound bag is available for $12. For each bag sold, $1.25 goes toward a 4-H’er’s camp fee which is $265.

Both juniors and seniors will have camp from June 30 through July 4, while cloverleaf 4-H’ers will be visiting Camp Rock Eagle from June 9-13.

“In the past, 4-H’ers have been selling donuts, but we are teaching healthy lifestyles. Now, we are trying to make a healthy choice with vidalia onions,” she maintains.

For any 4-H’er who is not going to camp, the funds they raise will carry with them into whatever program area they eventually choose to participate in.

“The money they raise does not benefit the 4-H program,” says Whitehurst. “It goes right back to the child.”

According to her, anyone who has not been approached by a 4-H’er who would like to purchase a bag of vidalia onions can contact the Crisp County Extension office at (229) 276-2612.

“Any 4-H’ers who are still interested in going to any of the three camps this summer can sign up at the Extension office,” says Whitehurst, who adds that there is a waitig list.