“Want to help ‘make the best better?’” asks Butler County 4-H member Ashley Frye, using a spin on the 4-H motto. “We invite you to come support your local 4-H’ers at the 2014 Benefit Auction.”

It is set for 6 p.m. Saturday at the Butler Farm Show grounds on Route 68. The doors open at 4:30 p.m.

Ashley will be joined by many of the county’s other 300 4-H members along with families and volunteers to host the seventh annual event.

This is the largest fundraiser for the program with all the proceeds supporting 4-H members’ participation in county, regional, state and national 4-H events.

For example, this year Ashley participated in the State Leadership Conference at Penn State, attended the Northwestern Pennsylvania Teen Leader Retreat, and was a camp counselor for the preteen In-Betweeners Retreat and 4-H summer camp.

The 16-year-old daughter of Gary and Kimberly Frye of Evans City, Ashley said, “Becoming a part of 4-H has impacted my life greatly, and has given me opportunities that I have not had anywhere else.

“I now have experience with speaking in front of groups, and have improved my leadership and communications skills. Also, the people you meet are lifelong friends.”

She even gave Gov. Tom Corbett a tour through the 4-H petting zoo at the Big Butler Fair this summer

In 4-H, Ashley belongs to Caprine Connection, Town and Country Kids and the Youth Council.

Visitors to the auction can bid on nearly 250 items during the live and silent auctions. Some items include:

• Three quilts handmade by 4-H club members

• Children’s sized wooden picnic table

• 10 half-gallons of assorted Penn State Creamery ice cream flavors

• Alpaca fiber products, including three pairs of socks

• An autographed Brett Michaels photograph

• 2015 Pittsburgh Pirate tickets

• Two Singer sewing machines

• 31 brands of totes and cooler bags

• Premier jewelry pieces and sets

• A hunters’ survival kit

Tickets to the Butler and Pittsburgh symphonies, Pittsburgh Zoo, Carnegie Science Center, Phipps Conservatory, and Living Treasures are among many others items for sale.

There also will be a variety of gift baskets, such as make-your-own-sundaes, car-detailing kits and movie night fun.

A food stand will offer dinner options and a snack menu, and the 4-H families are coordinating a homemade bake sale.

The county has nearly 30 4-H clubs with more than 330 members taking small and large animal projects as well as sewing and baking, shooting sports and robotics, among others.

For information about 4-H, contact Jean Kummer at the 4-H Extension Office at 724-287-4761.