Press release from Daughters of the American Revolution:
Oct. 5, 2020
Thanking healthcare workers, sewing face masks, collecting food bank donations and cheering nursing home residents are all recent service projects of Somerset County 4-H clubs. In recognition of their efforts, 16 clubs will be honored with Patriot Awards by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) during National 4-H Week, October 4-10.
“These young people were involved in some really outstanding projects,” said Holly Dunbar, DAR liaison to the 4-H Youth Development Program in New Jersey. “I was especially impressed with the 4-H clubs that had service projects related to the pandemic.”
Members of the Crazy Frog Hoppers double-Dutch jump rope club assembled and distributed Hero Bags to healthcare workers and first responders filled with snacks and notes of appreciation. The Pins & Needles sewing club made face masks, and the Piano & Music Club collected donations for the Food Bank Network of Somerset County. Members of the Alpaca Club, On Target Archery and the Master Chefs club sent notes to lift the spirits of residents of assisted living facilities who were on lockdown.
Patriot Awards are presented annually by the Elizabeth Snyder-Continental Chapter of the DAR based in Green Brook to honor youth groups for community service. The awards are typically presented at the Somerset County 4-H Fair, but with the fair’s suspension this year due to COVID-19, the award recipients are being announced during 4-H Week.
Prior to the pandemic, the People-Pick-Me-Ups pet therapy club visited nursing homes and collected items for an animal rescue facility, the Student Ambassadors for Community Health (SACH) renovated a park in Bound Brook and members of the Udder Club helped with fall cleanup at the home of a senior.
The Go-kart Club, Clover Ensemble, Senior Council, Trainmasters and the Somerset Sentinels, along with the Wags & Whiskers and Woof dog clubs, are being recognized for assisting with public events such as the 4-H Festival of Trees, the Community Outreach Dinner and the 2019 county fair.
“When members recite the 4-H pledge, they pledge their hands to larger service,” Dunbar said. “These young people put in time and effort to help others and make Somerset County a better place. We can all be proud of their accomplishments.”
One of the nation’s oldest and largest youth organizations, 4-H has a long history of community service, especially in times of crisis. During the world wars, 4-H club members helped inaugurate new farming methods that improved productivity and increased food production. Members planted victory gardens and held workshops to teach canning and methods of food preservation. Today, community service remains part of the 4-H curriculum.
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a lineage-based service organization for women who are directly descended from a person who aided the cause of American independence. A non-profit group, they promote historic preservation, education and patriotism. Learn more at DAR.org.
This press release was produced by Daughters of the American Revolution. The views expressed here are the author’s own.