Shoppers at Tractor Supply Co. stores in Amsterdam and Gloversville donated over $1,000 to 4-H programs during the Spring 2011 Paper Clover fundraiser.

The Gloversville Tractor Supply Co. store sold $663 worth of paper clovers to support 4-H while the Amsterdam location sold $388. The Gloversville store’s paper clover sales were the sixth highest in the state. 

Now in its second year, the fundraiser allows shoppers to purchase paper clovers for $1 at checkout. All funds are donated to 4-H and help support programs in the communities where each store is located.

Gloversville store manager Marc Clouser credits two employees, Heather Springer of Mayfield and Amanda Mason of Gloversville, for leading the efforts to raise the 4-H funds.

“A lot of our customers’ kids are involved in 4-H. Even to people who aren’t in 4-H – 4-H still means something to them,” Clouser said.

The fundraiser ran for an 11-day period in April. Late last month staff from Cornell Cooperative Extension in Fulton and Montgomery Counties presented the Gloversville store with a certificate of appreciation. In addition to taking in the sixth highest donation in the state, the Gloversville store also had the highest transaction percentage for donations in the region.

Sixty-five percent of the funds raised will go directly to 4-H in Fulton and Montgomery counties. The remaining funds will go to state and national 4-H programs.

Tractor Supply Co. is planning another 4-H fundraiser for the fall. Clouser says he intends to break a new record then.

Caption: Gloversville Tractor Supply Store manager Marc Clouser receives a certificate of appreciation outside the Gloversville store from 4-H member Emma Wegner, CCEFM Executive Director Marilyn Smith and 4-H Program Leader Linda Wegner.