Released September 2, 2009
AMES, Iowa – Sarah Staples finally took her friend’s advice senior year and joined 4-H. Then she surprised herself, made it to state competition and now owns a new jumper and shirt for only $9.48 to prove it.
“I’ve always known I’m a really good bargain shopper because my family shopped at Goodwill when I was younger, but I was so surprised when I made it to state,” she said. “It was an awesome experience, though, and I learned a lot of new things. That’s what I like about 4-H. It’s a good way for anyone to get involved in anything, not just animals.”
Staples was one of 57 4-H’ers at the Iowa State Fair Clothing Event who participated in the $15 Challenge. The challenge required 4-H’ers to purchase outfits at places such as garage sales, consignment stores, or Goodwill or Salvation Army thrift stores for $15 or less. The spirit and intent of the event was to encourage 4-H’ers to move out of their shopping comfort zones and into different shopping venues. It also caused many to rethink typical stereotypes and attitudes toward secondhand shopping.
“You can find some hidden treasurers at secondhand stores,” said Russell Benson, who sported a plaid shirt and khakis for $7.90.
Megan Pieters agreed and was excited to find her pink and orange outfit for an affordable price. “Finding clothes on a teenager summer-job budget isn’t always easy,” said the lifeguard and day care worker. “I would definitely shop there again though. You can find name-brand stuff with the price tags still on.”
Additionally, some participants went even further in their quest for clothes. 4-H’ers like Renae Beard kept an eye out for the special weekly sales and waited to make her purchases until then. Others spent their time looking around until they found the best deals or outfit.
“Some had to shop many different places, while others hit the clothes jackpots on their first visit,” said Sue Bogue, program specialist with Iowa State University Extension 4-H Youth Development. “Many reported they will return to those stores. They compared what they were able to buy with the same amount of money at the secondhand stores versus a traditional store.”
Senior pictures, weddings, job interviews, graduation, casual events, church and school were some of the places 4-H’ers hope to wear their new outfits, and teenagers like Staples agree with Bogue and plan to shop for more of the same in the future.
“I want to be a preschool teacher, so I know I’ll need more outfits like this for work,” she said. “I’ll also shop at those stores when I’m a mom because kids grow out of clothes so fast. It doesn’t make sense to buy them expensive ones.”
With about a third of the state fair clothing participants involved in the $15 Challenge for the second year in a row, Bogue is excited about the positive feedback from 4-H’ers, parents and club leaders and looks forward to continuing the event in the future.
4-H is a community of young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. In Iowa the 4-H program is headquartered on the ISU campus in Ames and offered in every county through the local ISU Extension office.
--30—
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2009/sep/400201.htm
Source: Sue Bogue, (515) 294-1533, suebogue@iastate.edu
Editor: Laura Sternweis, (515) 294-0775, lsternwe@iastate.edu
