Lee Donahue is making strides to cross the finish line not only in his high school career but also on his Floyd County 4-H senior project, and there is still time for locals to participate by giving back to a slew of organizations in the area.
In addition to his ties to 4-H, Donahue is a current senior at Darlington School, where he has displayed his athleticism in track and cross-country. The combination of his passion for these extracurriculars, along with guidance from 4-H Agent Abbie Salmon, led to a multi-faceted, 10-week-long project that aims to leave a positive, local impact.
“When I was running around doing track workouts and cross-country workouts, I noticed things about Rome and the community that I could potentially help to improve,” he said. “So, I did a little research, and my agent and I decided to put this together.”
Projects such as these are not a requirement, but it is truly something he wanted to do, Donahue said.
“Most recently, Lee organized the 10‑Mile Challenge in an effort to strengthen his leadership abilities and help others in our community,” Salmon said. “This project will also help him achieve his goal of earning 4‑H Master Status, the highest achievement a 4‑H member can attain through the prestigious Key Award, which recognizes members who consistently go above and beyond.”
In 10 weeks, he aimed to give back to the community by holding 10 distinct drives, sharing the love across several organizations.
Each drive was cleverly referred to as a “mile.” The full list is as follows:
♦ Book drive for Rome City Schools.
♦ Socks and underwear for the Bloom Closet.
♦ Canned green vegetables for the Community Kitchen.
♦ Cat food for Floyd Felines.
♦ Dog food for Public Animal Welfare Services.
♦ Packaged food for downtown food boxes.
♦ Baby wipes for the Bloom Closet.
♦ Supplies for the Northwest Georgia Hunger Ministries Backpack Buddies.
♦ Toothbrushes for the William S. Davies Homeless Shelters.
♦ Sunscreen for the 4-H Summer Camp.
The drives went in corresponding order each week, starting Feb. 23. New, unopened donations were collected at the Floyd County 4-H Office, located inside the Floyd County Administrative building, 12 E. Fourth Ave.
The final drive is currently ongoing through Monday, May 4.
If you feel led to make a difference, there is still time to drop off your items.
Any donations corresponding with any of these weeks, past or present, are still being accepted, Donahue said. He will later distribute them to their respective organizations within the next couple of weeks.
The final date may be extended to allow more donations to potentially come in, he said, but at this time it is set for Monday.
This impressive 10-week project is only a glimpse at the time Donahue has dedicated to 4-H. The journey began when he was only in elementary school, and he “made it more of (his) own” once he reached sixth grade, he said.
“4-H has always been a major part of my life,” he said.
Donahue has an extensive 4-H career, one that reflects his dedication to the program throughout several years.
“Lee has been an outstanding 4‑H member; he has participated in our program since the third grade and fully embraced all that 4‑H has to offer,” Salmon said. “Throughout his journey, Lee has demonstrated dedication, leadership and a true passion for learning by serving as a Northwest District Board Member, being on the archery team and participating in cotton boll and consumer judging, poultry judging and many other projects. One of the highlights of Lee’s 4‑H career is his continued success in District Project Achievement Sports project, where he has advanced to 4‑H State Congress for three consecutive years.”
Mixing 4-H and running is nothing new to him, especially with his participation in DPA.
“I took two things I love — running and 4-H — and put them together,” Donahue said. “For DPA, you have to give a speech, so for the past three years, I’ve done running or sports. So, I decided to link the two together.”
After Donahue graduates from Darlington School, he plans to attend the United States Air Force Academy Prep School. And though his graduation is on the horizon, his 4-H journey isn’t quite finished.
“This summer, Lee will continue giving back to 4‑H as a camp counselor at Rock Eagle 4‑H Center, serving as a role model and mentor for younger members,” Salmon said. “We are incredibly proud of Lee’s accomplishments and growth, and we know he is truly ‘Beyond Ready’ to soar into the future.”
This article was originally published in the Rome News-Tribune on May 2, 2026.
Steven Eckhoff, Rome News-Tribune
