Attention: Cutters 'N Stitchers

On October 3 we are planning a great day of sewing for two great causes. We are inviting former HCE ladies and anyone else who is willing to help cut-out patterns or run a sewing machine.

We will make Holiday Stockings that will be sent to Operation Christmas for deployed U.S. soldiers. Central Illinois Proud Families of Marines (http://www.operationsanta.info/) is conducting its 4th annual Operation Santa. Their goal this year is to send 35,000 homemade holiday stockings filled with goodies to our troops serving in harm's way.

Last year thousands of volunteers compiled their efforts to ship over 23,000 stockings to deployed troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Combat Support Hospitals. Contributions came in from all over Illinois as well as with several other states making it the largest holiday drive for their Military in the Midwest/USA.

The second project will be "Microwave Baked Potato Bags" to help raise money for our Federation group who strongly supports all 4-H activities county-wide. These bags can also be used to reheat bread, tortillas & dinner rolls and they are great for cooking corn-on-the-cob! Just in time for holiday gift-giving!

This open workshop will be from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and participants are free to come and go as they please. We ask that participants bring a sack lunch and Extension will provide drinks.

All ages are encouraged to join in the fun! There is no-charge for this workshop although we'd like for participants to donate one-yard of material for the Christmas stockings for our soldiers.

2009 Greene County 4-H Achievement Night

Local 4-H families and friends will get together for 4-H Achievement Night on October 8 and to celebrate National 4-H Week. The celebration begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Extension Office with refreshments. Natalie Edwards will make a presentation on her trip to the National 4-H Conference in Washington D.C.

Awards will be given for 4-H activities for the 2009-2010 year including Club of Year, 4-H Member of the Year and Leader of the Year. A pack-the-house prize will be awarded for the Club with the highest percentage of members in attendance. Call to RSVP today-217/942-6996.

Wanted: New 4-H Leaders & Clubs!

The Greene County Extension is searching for new 4-H leaders in the county, especially in the North Greene and Eldred areas. Leader Kellie Knox recently retired as leader of the Lucky Clovers 4-H Club who met at Roodhouse Elementary School. Lucky Clovers have 12 active members.

There hasn't been a 4-H club in the Eldred for numerous years and we would like see more Eldred youth involved in the 4-H program. Clubs consist of five or more members and typically meet six times during the year.

We are also seeking volunteers to teach various workshops throughout the year. Any one who has a special interest or hobby and would like to share their knowledge with local youth is encouraged to contact the office. Our focus areas are Leadership, Communication, Community Service and Science, Engineering & Technology.

Anyone interested in becoming a 4-H volunteer should contact Jackie at 217/942-6996 or email: sjackie@illinois.edu.

Great Outdoors Day Camp Potato Derby

The Great Outdoors Camp 2009 was held August 11 at Rives Lake in Greenfield and on August 13 at Carrollton Fry Park. Volunteer Jami Goetten taught day-campers to "Rethink, Reuse & Recyle" and how to recycle newspaper into garden seed beds.

The highlight of the day was the challenge of building a derby car from a potato, four nails and four washers. The participants never realized that Science, Engineering & Technology could be so much fun.

Volunteer Rich Mathews donated the materials and his time to build a great track for the races.

Financial support for these camps is provided by the Stanley H. Frech Charitable Trust and the Clyde Hembrough Charitable Trust.