4-H All Star candidate combines his love of running and
animals
Through the years Erik Rodriguez has been in 4-H, he has tackled
a variety of activities since he first joined a club in fifth
grade. He’s learned about veterinary science and food preservation.
He’s done arts and crafts, and archery. He’s even donned skis.
4-H All Star candidate combines his love of running and animals
Through the years Erik Rodriguez has been in 4-H, he has tackled a variety of activities since he first joined a club in fifth grade. He’s learned about veterinary science and food preservation. He’s done arts and crafts, and archery. He’s even donned skis.
Now the high school junior who runs cross-country with his twin brother, is tackling a 4-H All Star project. The project is something that 4-H members come up with on their own and propose to a review committee.
“It has to be a community service project that supports the mission of 4-H and that’s it,” Rodriguez said.
When he first started working on his project, he knew he wanted to do something to help out at the local animal shelter.
“Initially I was just planning on having people who would help out at the animal shelter walking the dogs,” Rodriguez said. “But you had to be 18 [to walk the dogs.]”
After talking with his advisors, he came up with another idea.
“I came up with the idea of the run to help me get more people to attend by using something I know how to do,” he said. “I thought the entrance fee could be food to help the animal shelter.”
Rodriguez has plans for a one-mile run at Bolado Park Saturday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to noon. The entrance fee is simply a bag of cat or dog food, litter or other pet supplies that will go to the Hollister Animal Shelter and Pet Friends.
He has experience participating in fun runs such as the Red Ribbon Run so he knew what needed to be done to plan the race. He coordinated with staff at Bolado Park to reserve a space for the run, and he will go out before the race to mark out the track.
“There are going to be awards for the top people in various categories,” Rodriguez said.
For now he plans to have his family and friends volunteer at the race, but the main challenge now is getting the word out about his event.
“It’s difficult getting fliers out to everyone,” he said.
So far Rodriguez has advertised in the 4-H guidepost, local newspapers, and has given out fliers to the track coach and Pet Friends staff.
Residents who would like to contribute, but who can’t make it to the run, can drop off supplies in bins at the 4-H office in the Veterans Memorial Building.
“I thought it was cool to collect food and supplies because when people donate, they don’t really know where the money goes,” he said.
