The 4-H Helping Hands Project was developed by the members of the Nelson County 4-H Teen Council.  This group of 20 members meets weekly to learn about needs in our community and how they can develop meaningful engagement projects to address those needs.  Some projects are lead by extension staff and some by members of the 4-H Teen Council.  The goal of the project was to introduce youth to meaningful community engagement projects that they can replicate to multiply the impact in the community. A generous local donor is funding the supplies.

Each meeting involves:

Using their HEAD to plan and  learn who benefits and who to partner with

Keeping HEALTH in mind as they strive for safety during these unprecedented times

Using their HANDS to create deliverable projects

Using their HEART to personalize the projects with uplifting notes

4-H Helping Hands members took part in lessons that help them understand need in our community.  They participated in the Bean Game to understand how families budget, they learned about nutritional needs by learning about My Plate and meal planning (and how food insecurity impacts a family’s available choices), and how our community serves patients receiving cancer treatment.   In order to complete their projects, they have learned new skills such as sewing, knitting, and how to upcycle. 

Members could join live via zoom or watch a recording of the project.  The club partnered with:

• Community Action - Members created and donated over 60 door draft stoppers and hand knitted scarves to give to members of our community who are receiving heating assistance. 
• Local Food Pantries- members made up-cycled t-shirt bags and filled them with food to donate.
• The Flaget Cancer Center- members hand stitched port pillows for the Flaget Cancer Center and donated mask extenders.
• Long Term Care Facilities- Members hand tied fleece lap blankets and included caring holiday notes.
• Flaget Hospital Emergency Department- Members created friendship bracelets placed on a meaningful card that kids receiving care could use as a post card.  They also put together care packs with crayons, coloring books and stuffed animals for youth who are hospitalized.

 The Manager of Oncology Services for the Flaget Cancer Center, was very grateful for the partnership and noted that, it is great the youth are donating to the cancer center, but also receiving education about the population of people you are donating to is amazing! 

Members have noted that they enjoy this project because it allows them to help others even if they can’t be with them. Many members indicated teaching others how to do the project within their family and other social groups.   When asked what the club meant to them members responded:

• It meant a lot to me because it involved kids and teens of all ages and we all worked to achieve one goal.
• This club represents how 4-H makes the best better. It provides an outlet for members to spend their time helping the less fortunate in their community.
• That I get to meet with others [Remotely] during the Covid time we were stuck at home. I got to learn how to do new activities that can help people even if just a little

  The Nelson County 4-H Shooting Sports club contributed to the project by creating hand-made ornaments to include with the gifts.   This club is also meeting virtually but each month receives a meeting kit with activities they complete as a group. 

 The community has also stepped up to help Nelson County 4-H reach its annual goal of distributing over 1,500 holiday cards to community members in need.  In a normal year, many of the cards are given a personal note and art work from out in school enrichment programs.  With school being remote, we were concerned that those messages of holiday cheer and hope may not make it out to the community.   The cards are designed by local 4-Hers through a design contest.  After a plea thorough our email lists and social media, local clubs, schools providing small group instruction, 4-Hers and families are picking up cards, personalizing them and returning them to the office to be distributed to food programs, the senior center and long term care facilities.