4-H has had a rich history in community service.  Part of the 4-H Pledges is that we “pledge our hands to larger service.”  Engaging youth in a variety of community service opportunities allows them to learn the value of helping other people, lets them build self-esteem from the positive results of service, develop as sense of responsibility and of community, and realized that effective leaders also serve others. 

Russell County 4-H members participated in a community service project for the nursing home this year.  The service project arose from an expressive arts contest that was held in September to design holiday-season cards.  The cards from the contest champions were used to bring cheer to the nursing home residents in Russell County.  With the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, the residents at this facility have not been able to interact with family and friends for many months nor were they able to celebrate the winter holiday season.  These cards were also sent to a Kentucky Veterans organization in Louisville to be distributed the military veterans at long-term care facilities across the state.  Expressions of gratitude were expressed by both organizations for the Russell County 4-H Youth’s involvement in reaching out to others during the holiday season.

In support of National Agriculture Week, the 4-H program reached out to Cloverbuds around the county to send appreciation cards to about 60 local producers to thank them for “feeding us.”  Several wonderful appreciations of the cards were shared on Facebook calling out the youth by name.  One local producer stopped by the Extension Office and said, “I really appreciate the card that you sent me.  That is about the sweetest thing that I’ve ever received.”