Kids Put Caring Into Action By Helping Kids In Need (Continued from Page B 2) Uon to the 4-H Kids for Kids, offers commonly taught projects such as sewing, cake decorating, air rifle, wood working, rocketry, and cooking. The club has 32 lead ers and 80 on-going members. ‘The club has exceptional parent involvement,” said Martha Gregory, 4-H extension agent for the county. “I think it’s because the family aspect of 4-H is emphasized and the set expectation of parental involvement,” Most of these members and adults also are members of the 4-H Kids 4 Kids. The impetus behind all this activity seems to be the Bushongs although they shy away from tak ing the credit ‘The parents (leaders) really give of themselves and the kids are just amazing,” said Fran. “Leaders mold and help the kids set goals, but the most important part is that they bring out the best in each kid.” “Fran is a high eneigy volunteer and a hard worker.” Gregory said. “Her enthusiasm for the 4-H prog ram helps others to see the benefits and become involved.” Fran said that she gets many of her ideas for the club while milk ing 120 cows daily. She keeps a pen and tablet by her side during The success of the 4-H program is due to community Involvement. These balloons were donated by a local busi ness for the 4-H’ers participation In the Memorial Day Parade. A nursing home patient hugs a llama at one of the petting zoos held by 4-H*ers. her chores so that she can jot down whatever ideas come to her. It’s during milking lime that Fran prays, sets priorities, and receives inspiration. From the formation of the club, Fran stressed the importance and meaning of the 4-H motto. She didn’t want the members to merely repeat the motto by rote but think of creative ways to put it into prac tice. The motto refers to pledging to use head, heart, hand, and health. Fran emphasizes the need to put “heart” into club projects. She said, “This is an awesome club to lead. The kids are so neat They keep pushing me and think ing up ideas.” To raise money, club members continue to hold petting zoos, car washes, serve as coat checkers during Farm-City week, hold a rock-a-thon, and other special events. The benefits of holding petting zoos are not all monetary. “We don’t accept money from nursing homes, but we take our animals into them on a regular basis. When you plop a rabbit on a table in front of a 100-year-old who hasn’t smiled in weeks and watch them come alive as they touch the rabbit—nothing can repay you more than that,” Fran said. The 4-H’crs were asked to hold a petting zoo for Camp Can Do, which is a camp held for cancer kids. The 4-H’ers did it as a project and refused payment, but the American Cancer Society sent them a $lOO check, which the 4-H’ers donated back to cancer patients through the 4-Diamonds Fund. The 4-H Kids 4 Kids aren’t always working. They like VS do lots of family activities and hold pizza, roller skating, and bowling parties, and Christmas caroling at Candy Lane held at Hershey Park. Money for the fun things come from doing a good job with the assigned projects. For instance, 4-H’ers hold an annual hoagie and cookie sale. The South Mountain Club sold more cookies than any other club. A portion of that money is designated to be used for fun projects. Fran said, “The neat thing about the club is that we have several members who are handicapped. The kids all accept each other so well. They find a way to communi cate to the deaf child. They take the time to push a wheelchair and help a slower child. “I hope and pray my grandchil dren will become members of 4-H,” said Fran, who is pleased that her own children. Matt, Mela nie, and Michele serve as leaders after returning from college. “Kids involved in 4-H projects build memories, self-esteem, culti vate relations, and learn to use their best to make things better,” Fran said. “While they arc helping others, they are also helping themselves. If we can make a difference in one child’s life by keeping them off the streets, then it’s worth it,” Fran said of the hours of work put into the program. This past year, North Mountain 4-H was pleased to have won both scrapbook and community service awards. ‘The club has done a good job of prioritizing community service as a focus for their community club,” Members of the North Mountain 4-H Community Club also participate in projects such as this Project Pals, which teaches pet care. HOMESTEA mm* mM* Lancaster Farming, Saturday, November 23, 1996-BS After two years of chemotherapy for leukemia, 14-year old Teresa, left, lives a normal teen-ager’s life. The family has never forgotten how 4-H’ers raised $l,OOO so that Tere sa could purchase a computer to help with her schooling. Now the whole family is Involved In 4-H. Her mother, Anne, teaches cooking; her dad Edward teaches small engine?, and Teresa and her brother Edward participate In many of the 4-H projects. Gregory said. “The club sets an example for other clubs.” While the North Mountain Club is filled to capacity, Lebanon County has 27 clubs, which eager ly accept volunteers and members. For more information, call Gre gory at the extension office (717) 270-4391 or call your county Penn State Cooperative Extension Office for information on 4-H. Michelle Blauch rocks the night away. Through the Rock-a-Thon, club members raised $1,500 to help kids In need.
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