Clinton Eagles 4-H Club Cares
While the world continues to adjust to a new way of being, 4-H members of the Clinton Eagles 4-H Club are determined to stay engaged and “Make the Best Better”!
The Clinton Eagles Cares program was developed by a group of parent volunteers from the Clinton Eagles 4-H Club. The volunteers were concerned about the 4-H'ers and how the pandemic was impacting them. “We were looking for a way to engage the youth and give them something positive to focus on amid all the chaos and uncertainty,” said Lanaea Heine, Clinton Eagles 4-H Club leader.
4-H’ers were asked to record 4-H project activities related to community service, leadership, and citizenship. Youth who recorded at least ten-hours of service would receive an incentive. Club members took this to heart and have made a positive impact within their communities.
The club and club members have facilitated a variety of activities since last spring. Some of those activities include collecting books for the Stull United Methodist Church lending library, baking items to deliver to neighbors, family, and friends, and writing letters to members of their communities who are currently unable to leave their homes due to the pandemic. The club also facilitated the “Clinton Eagles Rock” program. The club provided small rocks and encouraged the 4-H’ers to decorate the rocks with art or uplifting messages and then leave them within the community to be found by others.
Paige, Clinton Eagles club member, placed small American flags at the Clinton Cemetery. Each flag had a special “Stay Strong” message attached to it. Paige and many other members placed the flags throughout their communities to spread a positive message of hope. Paige helped distribute meals at the Stull United Methodist Church as well. Paige said this was her favorite project because she really enjoyed handing out meals to residents in the area.
Erik, Clinton Eagles club member, facilitated a variety of activities as well. Erik’s favorite service project was helping distribute food at Harvesters. He also corresponded through mail with residents in his community and placed flags at the grave sites of Douglas County 4-H benefactors, Alfred Bromelsick and Helen Dreher.
Leadership takes many forms and Erik and Paige both take pleasure in teaching others about their project work. Erik enjoyed hosting webinars for his club and the Lawrence Library during their “How to Festival” where he taught others how to make homemade angel food cake. Paige also decided to make a few videos that could be shared via Facebook to inform others about her swine and horticulture projects. Other members made videos about their geology, poultry, foods and nutrition, and horticulture projects. Credit hours could also be received for attending virtual 4-H meetings, conducting a project talk during a virtual 4-H meeting, and attending any 4-H related virtual learning experience.
Keeping our 4-H’ers engaged during this challenging time can be difficult. The Clinton Eagles Cares program, allows 4-H’ers to have fun, stay engaged, and be creative while continuing to “Make the Best Better”!
