Extension Office 4-H program commends local club for ongoing outstanding community service activities

by Jennifer Kneuss

Community service is a big part of what the 4-H youth program is all about. In Tuscarawas County, all 4-H clubs are expected to do community service activities, but one club has been singled out by 4-H staff members for exceptional service.

"The club completed 12 community service projects this past year. The community of Stone Creek was a great benefactor of that work. The members planted flowers at the Stone Creek Post Office and Tunnel Hill Community Center, along with painting. They helped with the Stone Creek Fireman's Festival and Stone Creek's community auction, and donated money for school supplies for York School," explained Barb Airgood, of the Tuscarawas County OSU Extension office in New Philadelphia. "The club also provided pots of planted flowers for the farmers market at the fairgrounds and assisted with a 4-H event at the market conducting planting activities with children. They painted flowerpots with the residents of New Dawn Nursing Home, along with visiting the residents with their small animals. They also assisted with the butterfly display at the Norma Johnson Center, did roadside cleanup, participated in fairground clean up day, and spent several hours working in the Clover Café during the fair."

"The Stone Creek Peas and Carrots do multiple community service things every year," said parent Jennifer McGlumphy, whose children, Jacob and Jonah, are very involved with the 4-H program. "They do everything from helping at the Tunnel Hill Community Center, to working at nursing homes. They cleanup at Camp Piedmont, and just do lots and lots of service."

"I helped plant a community garden in Stone Creek and I picked up trash," added second year 4-H member Skylar Angel.

New Philadelphia's Makayla Miller enjoys the club's activities.

"Last year I went to Camp Piedmont and helped cleanup. We also helped cleanup trash along the Stone Creek I-77 exit ramp. We picked up five big bags full," said Miller.

Gene Boone and his wife, Cheri, have been the primary leaders of the club for many years.

"We go down to Schoenbrunn Village, where we have cleaned up and planted flowers, and then we have worked at the Tuscarawas County Library, planting flowers there, too," said Gene Boone. "We've gone to Hennis Nursing Home, where we planted even more flowers, and set up games and activities for when they had their anniversary open house. We also cleanup trash along the highways. The 4-H kids always help out at the Stone Creek Fireman's Festival, and there they cleanup after all of the trays, and keep everything running smoothly for guests. Last year, we had a couple of kids who took small animals like pygmy goats, cats, or dogs into a nursing home for the residents. The kids take their pets there so the older residents can hold and pet them, and it lifts their spirits. It is an emotional thing that brings a smile to the face of even some of the quietest residents."

"It helps me be more social, and be willing to help other people if they need help. It helps me volunteer more for things and for other activities," said nine-year 4-H member Michaela Ricciardi. "It develops people skills because you work with other people during the community service, and I remember most singing at nursing homes and scrapbooking with residents of those nursing homes. Working with the residents helped develop my patience, and cleaning up the roads makes me feel green. We also collect pop tabs for Akron Children's Hospital for kids who need treatments, and that makes me feel good inside."

Of the club's exceptional community service record, Boone said, "We do this to help other people, and to help our community. Our club is very much into making sure our community is very healthy and strong."