10/24/2007

Oct. 27 is A.B. Graham Scholarship Day at Kroger’s Columbus Division Locations

Source:

Dale Hollandsworth, The Kroger Co.
614-898-3231

Editor: A press conference about this event will be held at 12:45 p.m. at the Kroger Marketplace store in Gahanna, 300 South Hamilton Road.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Kroger has designated Saturday, Oct. 27, as A.B. Graham Scholarship Day. All 117 stores in Kroger’s Columbus Division will participate in a day-long campaign, collecting donations in coin boxes located at every register. Monies raised during the event will be donated to the A.B. Graham Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship Fund benefiting Ohio students involved in 4-H programs, with Kroger matching funds that customers donate, up to $25,000.

“The A. B Graham Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship will be awarded to 4-H members involved in innovative and non-traditional programs that emphasize leadership and community service,” said Bruce Macaulay, president of Kroger’s Columbus Division. “Kroger supports 4-H programs in many of the communities we serve, and we are proud to be able to contribute to the continued growth of outstanding 4-H members.”

At the Gahanna Kroger Marketplace location only, VIP baggers will step up to the registers and bag customer groceries to encourage donations. From 1-3 p.m., customers at the Gahanna Marketplace, 300 South Hamilton Road, may select their own personal bagger from among Governor Ted Strickland; E. Gordon Gee, president of The Ohio State University; Becky Stinchcomb, Mayor of Gahanna; Archie Griffin, president and CEO of the Ohio State Alumni Association and only two-time Heisman Trophy winner; and Bruce Macaulay, president, The Kroger Co. Columbus Division.

The “VIPs Bagging for Scholarships” event originated when Governor Strickland was encouraging higher bids for the 2007 Ohio State Fair champion lamb, owned by Amber Shoemaker, of Louisville, during the fair Sale of Champions. Governor Strickland promised that he and President Gee would serve as baggers for the grocer that made the highest bid for the lamb. Kroger won the bid and purchased the lamb for $20,000.

“Ohio 4-H members have a history of achievement and community service,” Governor Strickland said. “It is great to be able to encourage these young people to reach new levels of leadership and accomplishment, especially in the area of higher education.”

The A.B. Graham Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship will be awarded each year and available to current 4-H members who have been enrolled in 4-H programs for a minimum of three years. The scholarship, which is open to incoming freshman at an accredited Ohio college, university or technical school, can be renewed for a maximum of four years based on satisfactory progression toward a degree and a minimum 2.5 grade point average (GPA).

Albert Belmont Graham is best remembered as the innovative superintendent in Springfield Township, Clark County, Ohio who organized a group of students in January 1902 to conduct agricultural experiments. This group became the forerunner of the 4-H program, which evolved into an international program helping young people learn leadership, citizenship and life skills.

The 4-H program has a membership of more than six million youths nationwide, with more than 300,000 members enrolled in Ohio during 2006.

“Perhaps no other university program touches the lives of so many Ohioans as Ohio State University Extension,” said Ohio State President E. Gordon Gee. “The university operates 4-H programs in all 88 counties -- giving many young people the opportunity to become involved citizens and leaders.”

The Ohio 4-H Foundation established a new endowment in the spring that funds the A.B. Graham Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship. Ohio State University Extension is seeking an endowment of $500,000 to build this fund.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation’s largest retail grocery chains. For more information about Kroger, please see http://www.kroger.com.

Ohio 4-H is the youth development arm of Ohio State University Extension. In Ohio, more than 300,000 children and teens participate in hands-on educational activities on more than 200 topics through 4-H clubs, camps and school-enrichment programs. For more information, see http://www.ohio4H.org.

-30-