The three foundations that raise private support for Cooperative Extension met in April to celebrate the signing of 12 new endowments, several of which are products of the new "Campaign for Counties."

The North Carolina Cooperative Extension Foundation, the 4-H Development Fund and the Family and Consumer Sciences Foundation are all involved in the campaign.

"The Campaign for Counties gives every county center in North Carolina the opportunity to invite our clientele to make gifts that will support county programs in perpetuity," said Dr. Jon Ort, director of North Carolina Cooperative Extension, at the event. "Individuals who are passionate about Cooperative Extension will be invited to leave their legacy through a named endowment."

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean Johnny Wynne, who presided over the luncheon event, echoed Ort's remarks. "I believe that the campaign is an innovative concept that will revolutionize our private giving for Cooperative Extension."

The 12 new endowments are

• Dr. Russell and Mrs. Connie King CES Program Endowment for the Northeast Region
• Alamance County CES Program Enhancement Fund
• Person County Cattleman's Association Scholarship in Memory of Rocky Carver
• North Carolina Cooperative Extension State Advisory Council Endowment
• Wilson County Extension and Community Association Lois Rainwater Educational Scholarship Endowment
• Frances Turner Family and Consumer Sciences Program Endowment
• Dr. T. Carlton and Mrs. Cornelia Blalock 4-H Leadership Endowment
• Georgia Wade and Louis Marvin Butts and Sarah Ann Butts Sasser 4-H Endowment
• Cumberland County 4-H Program Endowment (supported by a gift and pledge by Cumberland County Farm Bureau)
• Cumberland County 4-H Enhancement Fund
• Memorial Fund of the North Carolina 4-H Volunteer Leaders' Association
• Stokes County 4-H Program Endowment.

-Suzanne Stanard