by Gretchen Orr
HUERFANO- Last Friday over 50 dedicated Huerfano youth gathered at the Huerfano County Community Center in Walsenburg for the annual 4-H clubs’ Operation Easter Bunny.
The program started over 25 years ago here in Huerfano County as an Easter outreach program for senior citizens and shut-ins. In the early years 4-H club members assembled approximately 50 Easter baskets for delivery to nursing home residents. This year they did well over 200, and are delivering to both Huerfano County nursing homes, hospital residents and to shut-ins. Parents, leaders and other adults help out as well, by providing transportation for the kids to deliver the baskets in person to each senior citizen.
Operation Easter Bunny is just one of the many worthwhile activities that 4-H offers to area kids. For example, La Veta’s Snowy Range club does things for La Veta’s senior citizens throughout the year, at every major holiday. And of course, students are gearing up in earnest to get ready for the annual county 4-H Fair in August.
There are also opportunities for 4-H students to travel outside of our area. Adam Kimbrel went to Buena Vista two weeks ago for the South Central District Retreat, and the Huerfano County 4-H council met recently and selected two delegates to go to a Washington DC conference in June- Adam Kimbrel and Hallie Homerding.
The conference, “Citizenship Washington Focus” brings in 4-H students from all across the country to discuss issues that face our youth today. The kids also get a chance to do some sightseeing in our nation′s capitol. It is a six-day intensive summer citizenship program for youth age 14-19. CWF delegates learn about the democratic process and their role as citizens while they experience our nation′s capital. They get the inside scoop about how government really works from prominent guest speakers. College-age program fellows lead bill writing workshops, a national issues forum and mock elections and congressional sessions that prepare students for leadership now and in the future. For more go to http://www.citizenshipwashingtonfocus.org.
To raise money for Kimbrel’s and Homerding’s trip to Washington, the Huerfano County 4-H clubs will be having a spaghetti dinner on Sunday April 20 at the Huerfano County 4-H barn in La Veta, from 11 am to 2 pm. The cost for adults is $6 and for children $3. There will also be a silent auction at the dinner.
Students interested in joining 4-H, should contact Angela at the county extension office 738-2170, or any of the following 4-H leaders: Charlene Anselmo 738-3329; Frances Elley 738-1094; Sherry Freese 746-2945; Jill Homerding 738-1226; Terri Kimbrel 742-5436; or Lynn Myers 738-3512.
