PAW PAW — For seven years the Young Explorers 4-H Club has been participating in Troop Fan Mail by sending Christmas cards to troops around the world. The Young Explorers 4-H club was inspired by the Arlington Harvesters 4-H Club’s service of sending cards to troops.
Arlington Harvesters received the honor of being the No. 1 4-H club in Troop Fan Mail when it sent 1,500 Christmas cards to troops in 2004.  Troop Fan Mail is a clearing house organization that collects greeting cards for military personnel and sends them to the troops.
Since 2004, the Young Explorers 4-H Club has sent 860 Christmas cards to troops. Each year, the club holds its November meeting on Veterans Day and makes cards to send to troops around the world.
Youth also draw pictures of airplanes, tanks and military symbols; write poems and poignant notes; and send words of thanks and prayers for safety inside the cards.  In 2004, the club produced photos of its sledding party with a special note from home in Michigan. The club has received several responses from troops, including thank-yous from the Army and Marine Corps.  This is the first time the club has received a Challenge Coin.
“This is an incredible honor and it will not just sit in a drawer somewhere.  We are going to display it during our club meetings next to the American and 4-H flags each time we meet,” said Amanda Broeder, president of the Young Explorers Club.