Author: Sonya Carter
Planning Unit: Hart County CES
Major Program: Kentucky Extension Homemaker Association
Plan of Work: Developing Leadership and Volunteerism
Outcome: Initial Outcome
The Kentucky Extension Homemakers Associations (KEHA) is a volunteer organization that works to improve the quality of life for families and communities through education and leadership in the community utilizing volunteer services. The organization can be traced back to the beginning of the 20th century. The University of Kentucky hired the first agent to focus on home economics in 1913. Across the state, the Family Consumer Science agents work together to provide educational programming and help homemakers conduct various community service projects.
Hart County Homemakers was established in 1935, meaning the group has provided 89 years of community service and educational programming for our community. Each month, homemaker leaders attend educational leader lessons. Those lessons are then taken back to their respective clubs and members are educated on providing economically sound and healthy homes.
Hart County Homemakers spend countless hours dedicating their time to community service. In April, in honor of Earth Day, the Hart County Homemakers and Hart County 4-H members collaborated for a beautification project. The homemakers gathered perennials and annuals to plant at Hart County Manor. 4-H members and homemakers planted over 25 flowers. In May, Hart County Homemakers presented four scholarships to high school seniors to help them with secondary education costs. These scholarships are provided to the students through fundraising efforts that the homemakers complete. Throughout the year, the Sew and Sew Quilt club makes quilts and donates Quilts of Valor to local veterans on Veteran's Day each year. This year the Sew and Sew Club also donated lap quilts to Signature Healthcare of Hart County. In December, our homemakers donated toys to our local Salvation Army to help ensure children have toys for Christmas. In May, the Sew and Sew Club presented a quilt to Hart County High Project Graduation.
For Earth Day, the Hart County Homemakers decided to build birdhouses for promotion of Earth Day. Several homemakers’ members gathered to build birdhouses at the extension office. On May 24, the homemakers gathered again to set the birdhouses out. Nine birdhouses were set out at the Hart County Extension Office, Hart County Library, Hart County Courthouse, Hart County Justice Center and at Thelma Stovell Park.
The Hart County Homemakers spend countless hours each year providing community services to our county. They have made and are continually making a lasting impact on our community.
Homemaker Activities in 2023-2024
Day Trips:
Jackson's Orchard
Louisville Mega Caverns
Earth Day Field trip to Mammoth Cave
Educational Opportunities Outside of Monthly Leader Lesson:
Freezing and Drying Apples Class
Clay Ornament Class
Screen print tote bag making
Spa Day
Strawberry Jam Making
Walk & Talk Program
Fund Raising
Cookbook, Pecan & Poinsettia sales at various events to provide Scholarships
Community Events/ Volunteerism
Horse Cave Heritage Days
Veteran Day program and quilt donation
Quilt Donations to Signature of Hart County Rehab and Wellness Center
Toy Donations to Salvation Army at Christmas
Earth Day Bird House project
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