FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 13, 2010 |
Contact: Karen Blatter
(309) 268-0254 |
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4-H Club Community Improvement Grants
Supported by 1st Farm Credit Services |
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NORMAL – 4-H Clubs across Illinois received Sharing a Vision for Healthy Communities program grants, sponsored in part by 1st Farm Credit Services.
The 4-H groups were awarded grants of between $50 and $150 to fund selected projects. The state 4-H office made the selections based on applications.
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A total of 16 groups in the association’s territory were selected to receive the grants. 1st Farm Credit Services partnered with Farm Credit Services of Illinois to fund the program.
Each group received a sign to place in their community to commemorate the grant.
The following groups and projects were selected for the grants:
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3-F – McLean County
Heyworth Centennial Park Trail Restoration: The club worked to improve an overgrown and underused walking trail in their community’s park. Improvements included enhancing walking surfaces, adding trash cans, removing weeds, adding distance markers and increasing community awareness of the health benefits of walking and the trail.
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Adams County Firecrackers – Adams County
“Meating” the Need: For the fourth year, the club asked for the grant to make monetary and ground beef donations to the Community for Christ Assistance Center in conjunction with National Beef Month. The beef was given to families in need. Club members learned about what role beef plays in a balanced diet, as well as giving back to others.
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Carroll County Kids – JoDaviess/Carroll County
Sewing Quillows for Servicemen: The club made several quillows – a quilt-type blanket that can be folded into a pillow – for servicemen and -women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Members worked with an area church to sew and ship the blankets. The club decided to do the project for a second time after the success of the first year.
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Cottonwood – Whiteside County
Planting Flower Pots in Downtown Morrison: Club members planted flowers in pots that line Main Street in downtown Morrison. The project created a unified look for the area, along with teaching citizenship, volunteerism and gardening to the members. The club also continued to water and care for the plants after they were potted.
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Country Clovers – JoDaviess/Carroll County
Hands, Heart, Help Project: The club sewed crib sheets, receiving blankets and quilts for low-income families that receive services from a local food pantry. They also purchased strollers to be distributed to the families. The project taught the members about the costs of raising a family, comparison shopping and sewing skills.
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Homes Cool Kids – Grundy County
Back to the Basics: The club planted flowers, vegetables and herbs in two areas of the county at buildings that many people pass each day. The food from the garden was donated to a local senior center and food pantry. The project also helped promote the 4-H program in the community.
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Leon Wide Awakes – Whiteside County
Have a Leon Wide Awake and Smile Birthday Project: Club members provided birthday kits to local food pantries so children who receive food from the pantries could have a birthday party at home. The kit included items needed for an at-home birthday party, including cake mix, homemade invitations and decorations. Members assembled the kits and worked with area food pantries to distribute them.
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Menominee Achievers – JoDaviess/Carroll County
Nativity BVM Playground Improvements: The club worked to improve the conditions of a community playground. They built picnic tables and refurbished part of the playground equipment. They also conducted a plant sale to raise money for the project. Members learned the importance of giving back to the community and how to be fiscally responsible.
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Olympia Pacesetters – McLean County
Helping Hands Community Center Building Improvements Project: The club repaired the roof and gutters, replaced a porch and painted the outside of the community center to improve its look and safety. The center is used as a food pantry and for clothing exchanges. Members learned about science, engineering and technology.
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Rising Stars – Lake County
Butterfly Garden Project: At the Big Hollow Primary School, the club created a butterfly waystation by providing and maintaining landscaping for the school’s Adopt an Island Program. The club created a habitat for monarch butterfly migration, which added the location to the International Monarch Waystation Registry. The club learned about the butterfly’s habitat, life cycle and migration, as well as conservation.
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Rough Riders – Henry County
Henry County Fairgrounds Flower Planting Project: Club members planted flower beds around the horse barns and other areas of the Henry County Fairgrounds. Members learned about how to select and plantthe proper flowers for the climate and ground conditions. The project also incorporated the work of other people who were showing horses at the fair.
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Saddle Teens – Henderson/Mercer/Warren County
Salute to Our Armed Forces and Veterans: The club put together a community recognition of servicemen and -women by writing letters and cards to those who are currently serving and local veterans. They also helped with a Memorial Day program. The project also allowed the members to get to know their local veterans and learn more about the military.
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Saratoga Ag – Grundy County
Supporting the PADS Shelter: The club worked with a local church, which provides housing for people so they have a warm place to sleep during the winter. Members provided and collected items that people staying in the shelter would need, including food. They learned about giving to others and helping the less fortunate.
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Super Cosmic Agents– Cook County
Bryant School Community Garden: The club changed an empty lot near a school into a flower garden, which students could use to read by or learn more about nature. The goal was to teach the members about gardening, planting and giving back to the community. The club also added benches to the garden and will maintain it throughout the year.
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Walnut Grove Progressors – Knox County
Village of Altona Clean-Up Project: Each year, the club uses flowers, paint and other supplies to enhance the village of Altona. The club also cleans up the parks and businesses in the spring. Members learn about citizenship and the environment by giving back to the community. The club uses the project as a way to say “thank you.”
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Young Seekers – Lee County
Veterans Park Beautification Project: Club members worked to install new flower beds, landscaping and benches in the gazebo area at the Amboy Veterans Park. The club has worked on park improvements for the past several years, learning teamwork, gardening and geometry. Members work throughout the year to maintain the park and prepare it for Memorial Day. |
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1st Farm Credit Services leads the industry in agriculture loans, risk management products and various services such as crop insurance, loan and lease options, as well as agricultural real estate appraisals. The cooperative serves 42 counties in the northern half of Illinois through its 16 local offices.
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