CASSOPOLIS — Cass County 4-Hers took time over the recent weeks to help spread cheer this holiday season by making and donating cards to American service men and women. 4-H clubs were challenged by program coordinator Stephanie Timm to make 350 cards to donate to the Holiday Mail for Heroes program sponsored by the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes. In response, clubs donated 721 cards — 475 more than in 2011, when the 4-H program first donated cards to this community service project. “I was greatly pleased with the effort of our youth, clubs and leaders for making and donating these cards to our troops. I am very proud of them for going above and beyond what they were challenged to do. The children were very excited to be donating these cards to a good cause,” Timm said. It is the mission of 4-H to create non-formal, educational opportunities to help youth thrive in a complex and changing world. There is a great value for today’s youth in participating in 4-H. Studies show that Michigan youth 4-H participants are less likely to smoke, drink or do drugs. They are also more likely to have higher levels of academic competence and attend college programs. and are more physically active than non-4-H participants. For more information on the Cass County 4-H Program, contact Timm at the Michigan State University Extension office at (269) 445-4438; 120 N. Broadway, Suite 209 in Cassopolis, or go to www.msue.msu.edu/cass.