By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Cassopolis Vigilant
DOWAGIAC -- Holidays were a little brighter for residents of the Cass County Medical Facility thanks to members of the North Red Hill 4-H Club.
Their year-long project to decorate for six holidays during the year, earned the club state recognition and even a national award.
The members planned and made 80 items for each holiday including paper hearts, green shamrocks out of construction paper, pumpkins and cornucopias.
Recycling was also used as they learned how to use lint from the dryer to make into paper for Christmas decorations. For gifts, they used rubber stamps to decorate note pads for the residents. They also made cards using old Christmas cards, glitter and glue.
Even the younger cloverbuds helped on the projects which both the staff and residents looked forward to each holiday. Forty-five to 50 members worked on the projects each month.
At the Dowagiac Nursing Home, residents got to enjoy the animals the club members brought in for them to play with and pet. The youth learned how to approach patients with various disabilities.
The young peoples' hardest part was leaving the patients who wanted to followed them around the nursing home.
Animals they brought included goldfish, gerbils, cats, dogs, goats, rabbits, hamsters and even a miniature horse. The "one-and two-hour visits have become a very popular event for all involved," said McCarthy.
North Red Hill has been in existence since 1951, according to its Key Leader, Virginia Edgerly.
As recognized participants in the 4-H Youth Experiencing Action (YEA!), the members received certificates. The purpose of the program which more than 1,000 4-H members in Michigan participated, was to learn about issues and ways to solve community problems.
They assess needs, plan and prepare a service project to meet those needs and carry out the project.
Along with the YEA! recognition, the North Red Hill was number four out of 1,000 to win a Colgate award in the state. They won $100, again for its community service projects.
The North Red Hill's project was then chosen from among more than 2,000 entries nationwide and was recognized with a fourth place prize in the National 4-H Council division, earning $100.
The Colgate's 30th anniversary included a search for the country's best community projects by young Americans. Nearly six million dollars have been awarded through Colgate's Youth for American program, the longest running corporate sponsored program benefiting youth.
Another Cass County Club which was recognized in the YEA! program was the 4-H J.O.Y. Club of Cass County.
The club was involved in numerous projects during its 52 weeks of community service in 2002, including working senior bingo at the Stone Lakes Apartments in Cassopolis. They also assisted other seniors by, raking, weeding a strawberry patch, caring for a draft horse and stacking wood.
The club led the American Pledge at the Jefferson Township Board meeting in Edwardsburg. They helped out at baseball games, sold poppies for the veterans and delivered lilacs to the medical care facility.
They cleaned up a school and participated in an adopt-a-road program. At the Cass County Fairgrounds, members helped pick up the grounds and plant flowers.
Members also volunteered at the Cass County Animal Shelter, were mentors for elementary school children and made donations to Goodwill, Locks of Love and Stuff-A-Truck.
The group decorated the showcase at the Cass District Library during National 4-H Week.
In honor of Sept. 11, 2001, they planted a pine tree and held a tree lighting ceremony.
SIDEBAR:
North Red Hill 4-H Club
In club news: members of the North Red Hill 4-H club met on June 5 with Carin Sobieski, club president, calling the meeting to order. Kayla Dewey led the American Flag Pledge of Allegiance and Briana Hunsberger led the 4-H pledge.
The club turn over $1,660.05 to the American Cancer Relay for Life. Leign Williamson was named Junior Relay Queen. The top North Red Hill money collectors were Alexis Clark, Elizabeth Stockwell, Brynn Ward, and Samantha Smith.
Club members took part in the Gong Show, Mr. Relay, both junior and senior divisions, as well as the ring toss booth.
A $20 donation was made in the memory of Connie Kentner to the Michigan 4-H Foundation.
The club also held road side clean-up of Corwin Street in Dowagiac. They plan to be part of the Twin Lakes Parade on July 5th.