Daniel Hooks
Ever since she was six weeks old, North Texas resident Cali Whiddon says she’s been involved in the 4-H program.
Partly out of necessity, but mostly out of choice, Whiddon says she’s spent her youth in this development program created to give kids and teens skills and confidence to succeed in the real world. Whiddon,18, says she shows rabbits at the 4-H competitions held in the early spring or late summer each year. And every year, given growth spurts and financial difficulties, many 4-H kids like Whiddon compete in said competitions either wearing an old worn-out pair of boots, or no boots at all.
So, what’s the big deal?
First off, 4-H rules state that each competitor must wear a specific outfit to show. The rules state, “If you choose to dress inappropriately, you may be asked to change, be dropped a placing, or may be disqualified.” This means, besides button shirts and either slacks or jeans, boots are also a big part of being in the 4-H program. Yeah, they might not be required, but they are strongly suggested.
It’s for this very reason that celebrity chef Tim Love in partnership with Ariat is hosting his second annual “ALL IN” Holiday Boot Drive to help a few Texas 4-H members who wouldn’t otherwise have that opportunity. Love is requesting participants donate a new or gently used pair of boots to Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall at 122 E Exchange Ave. Suite 200 between Nov. 6 and Dec. 17.
“This year our goal is to get 100 pairs of boots,” says Jordan Peldyak, extension agent for the 4-H program. “Last year we got around 40 pairs of boots and that was done with very little time to promote the drive. This year, we think we can double that number.”
Cali Whiddon
Peldyak verified that 50 4-H kids have already been promised a pair of boots this year, with the rest being placed on a waiting list. Any and all donations will go to benefit youth ages 8 -18 that are members of 4-H clubs across Tarrant County, including groups like IMT Garden Club 4H, Keller 4H, East Fort Worth 4H, Thomas Place Community Center 4H, and North Tri-Ethnic Community Center 4H.
To make things a better fit this year, donors can easily grab a pair of boots at Ariat, located across the street from Tannahill's. For those unable to donate a full pair of boots, you can make monetary donations to shoptimlove.com, where every dollar will go towards a pair of boots. Shoppers at the Love Collection store, located inside Tannahill’s, can also donate $5 or more to their purchases to support this drive.
“We are so grateful to Tim Love and the community for helping local 4-H youth,” Peldyak says. “4-H’ers participate in so many positive youth development projects, from livestock and environmental education to community service and more! Having a pair of boots will be so exciting for many of our youth as they continue to make their best better. As of opening registration, we already have 64 youth signed up who could benefit from this gracious gift!”
One such youth is Whiddon, who says having a new pair of boots can really help boost a 4-H member’s confidence. Besides looking the part, a new pair of boots can also withstand the rigors of corralling livestock in a dirty pen.
“If you're going out, you're showing goats and lambs and cows and livestock, yeah, you need a good pair of boots,” she says.
When asked what it would mean to her to get a new pair of boots for Christmas, Whiddon says it would mean the world.
“Right now, all I have is my mom’s pair of boots that I wear, and one boot has a hole in it,” she says. “Getting a new pair would really be a game changer.”
The “ALL IN” Holiday Boot Drive will come to a close with a festive celebration on December 17 at Tannahill’s Tavern, where the 4-H students will receive their boots and other donated items.
As a thank-you for giving back, Love is offering some festive perks:
- $50 donation: Enjoy a complimentary holiday cocktail.
- $100 donation: Free boot branding and a holiday cocktail, plus a small ornament on Tannahill's Christmas tree.
- $500 donation: Large ornament with your name on Tannahill's Christmas tree, free boot branding, and a holiday cocktail.
“Hard work and generosity really are the keys to success,” said Love. “These are values I teach my kids and live by every day. The 4-H organization is a terrific one that really does some great work in supporting our next generation of leaders here in Tarrant County. This is about more than giving back—it’s about showing the next generation what it means to step into responsibility, to work hard, and to push yourself, just like we know how to do in Fort Worth.”
