Local shoppers can become local youth supporters by telling one local retailer to keep the change next month.

JC Penney of Rockingham will offer a round-up option to patrons who make purchases from Aug. 5 to the 16. Bring your total up to the nearest dollar and they’ll send those extra cents to Richmond County 4-H.

“Participation in the Round Up program is an investment in the youth of Richmond County,” said County Extension Director Clinton McRae. “The funds play a major role in introducing our youth to programs that expand and increase their life skills.”

A division of North Carolina Cooperative Extension, 4-H is designed to provide youth with opportunities to “Learn by Doing” through school enrichment programs, 4-H clubs, afterschool activities, overnight camps and special interest projects.

The round-up partnership is an initiative of the JCPenney Afterschool Fund — a charitable organization designed to foster academic, physical and social development by partnering with organizations like 4-H.

“We would encourage all our customers to participate,” said store manager Terry Green. “If (the total) is $10.99, we ask if you’d like to it up a penny. If it’s $10.01 we ask you to round it up 99 cents. And if customers want to make additional contributions we can take those and give you a receipt for them at the cash register.”

In 2008, the JCPenney Afterschool Fund reported contributing more than $13 million to after school programs in more than 1,000 communities across the country.

According to Green, the quarterly event has brought in about $1,000 for 4-H since September 2008.

“The money will support the entire 4-H youth program by enhancing programs already in place, as well as expanding future programs,” said McCrae.

“It’s just a great organization and we’re just happy that we can help them out a little bit,” said Green. “And the cool thing about this round up is that it falls in the middle of the state sales tax holiday weekend, which is August 7, 8 and 9.”

The 4-H Round Up will run from Aug. 5 through Aug. 16 at JCPenney in Rockingham.

For more information about Richmond County 4-H, contact the county Cooperative Extension office at 997-8255. More information about the JCPenney Afterschool fund is available at www.jcpenneyafterschool.org.