Deaf education students at South Knox Elementary used fabric paint and their hands to create an American flag. The students then quilted the flag. They displayed their quilt at school and in the community. They were very proud of their accomplishment. They learned quilting skills as well as teamwork. All the students in Ms. Buckley's class say they will continue to quilt.

Note: The 4-H'ers pictured gave a demonstration on the project.

Eastview Elementary School (Greene County) students collected money to help the humane society buy new spay packs for the animals to be spayed or neutered. They placed a picture of the animal on the container and later voted for the cutest pet. All of the money went to the Humane Society. They learned the importance of being a pet owner and taking care of their pet's needs.

Mrs. Hamilton's 6-6 Club #181 at Blanche School (Lincoln County) wrote letters to service members in Iraq. They shared their letters with the class. They learned how to write friendly letters and to show appreciation to people we don't know who are taking care of us. The students learned to write letters and show empathy for service members spending time away from their families.

Mrs. Moorehead's 6-1 Club #157 from Flintville Elementary School (Lincoln County) collected the recycle bins and put them in one location in the school to help the school and the teachers. They learned that recycling earns money for the school and helps the environment. Due to their efforts the school is working together to help save the environment.

This 4-H Club from Flintville Elementary in Lincoln County are helping with the school recycling program. Students empty everyone's recycling bins in the classroom and take it to a central location and sort the paper from the bottles and cans. They are learning to work together to save the environment. Through this project they have learned that everyone needs to recycle to help the environment and learned what types of items can be recycled.

Mrs. Moorehead's 6-7 Club, #159 spent an afternoon collecting litter from the school campus. They were able to see the immediate results of their hard work. They learned that the landscape looks much better without the litter and that they should not throw litter on the ground and should use trash cans instead.

Mr. Beddingfield's 9-1 Club #136 in Lincoln County planted a Tulip Poplar on their school lawn. They felt that they were doing something good for their school. They also learned how to plant a tree and how trees are good for the environment.

Mr. Beddingfield's 9-4 Club, #139 in Lincoln County made valentine cards for the elderly at the Lincoln Care Center. They then delivered the cards to the residents. They learned that elderly people are loving, caring, generous, nice and sweet. They also learned that you should always take into consideration the elderly people. This will help them to respect and care for the elderly.

Mrs. Thompson's 8-1 Club #130 at Fayetteville Junior High School in Lincoln County collected dog and cat food to take to the animal shelter. They felt that they had done something worthwhile with their spare time. The students also learned that we should take care of our animals so that they don't end up in shelters. They discussed ways to keep animals from going to animal shelters.

This Fayetteville Junior High club collected personal care items and donated them to Hannah's House. Hannah's House is a home for abused women and children in Fayetteville. The 4-H'ers felt good about helping people in need. They learned that everyone needs help sometimes, and it is good to help when you can because you never know when you might be the one in need. The students will continue to help out others when they are able.

Mrs. Thompson's 8-5 Club #132 collected money from students for the Red Cross. They learned that your spare change can add up and go for something good. The 4-H'ers were amazed at how fast the spare change added up. They learned that if you work together even spare change can add up.

On April 11, 2003 the club went outside to pick up trash during their 5th period class. They realized why you should use garbage cans, and how few of us do use them. They learned that it is better to throw trash away the right way first time than to have to go back and pick it up later. The club members state they will use garbage cans more now.

Mrs. Thompson's 8-6 Club #133 collected cleaning supplies and baby supplies for the local Hannah's House. This will help all the abused women and children in Lincoln County. They felt good about helping someone in need. They also learned that someone is always in need and it "might be us that needs it." It is a good thing to help out.

Mrs. Thompson's 8-7 Club #134 brought in candy and personal items which they divided into bags to take to Donaldson Nursing Home. The residents were happy to see them come and enjoyed talking to them. They were appreciative of the gifts that were brought. They learned that giving is important, life doesn't last forever and that we must take care of our elders. This has taught them to be more giving and understanding around elders.

This South Lincoln School 4-H Club collected dog and cat food for our local animal shelter. They also washed several teachers' cars and used that money to purchase additional food. The students enjoyed helping the animals and they learned that only a few can make a difference. They plan to continue to give to the shelter.

Mrs. Scott's 6th Grade 4-H Club in Lincoln County went shopping for items used by the elderly at the nursing homes and then went to visit them. They enjoyed talking to the people and learned the rewards of giving to others. Hopefully they will continue to care about the elderly.

Mrs. Washburn's 6th Grade 4-H Club collected soda cans and the tabs to take to the recycle center and cash them in. They donated the money to Junior's House in Fayetteville. Junior's House is a children's advocacy center. The 4-H'ers enjoyed knowing they were helping other kids. They learned about recycling and that doing little things can add up to bigger things if you work at it.

The students put candy, toothbrushes, toothpaste, toys, school supplies, letters and stuffed animals in 20 different shoe boxes to be shipped to other countries like Romania. They had a group discussion about how it would help the children and how happy they would be. They learned that some people don't get Christmas like they do and that not all countries are as fortunate as ours. They also learned ways to be helping and caring and that working as a group makes a big job easy.

Mrs. Hamilton's 8-1 Club #182 at Blanche School in Lincoln County adopted two school mates (unknown to the students) and helped them have a nicer Christmas. They all helped collect used ink cartridges and turned them in for money and then went to Walmart and shopped for the angels. The learned how to budget money to get everything that was needed. The rest of the money went to their school. The 4-H'ers felt they helped children have a better Christmas and that recycling ink cartridges is good for the environment. They learned how you can recycle ink cartridges and how to budget money.

The students chose to make wishing wells out of recycled cans and clothes pins. It took about two class periods to make the cans and then they filled them with candy and delivered them to Sunbridge Nursing Home. The students reflections are in their scrapbook. Most of the reflections were that they all really enjoyed meeting and visiting with the elderly. They saw how the elderly really enjoyed having the young people come to visit them. The students learned how to make the wishing wells, and how to properly organize a community service project. Through this they learned responsibility and other desirable character traits. They will use the skills they learned later in life in society to make it better. They also learned that no one wants to be forgotten.

These Blanche School students in Lincoln County visited the playground and listed the repairs that were needed. They brought sandpaper, masks, and tools from home and worked on the playground to make it safe. They talked about their work and what still needs to be done. They want to do more repairs in the future. They learned to organize, plan, prioritize and work safely. They now know what it takes to make a playground safe.

Mrs. Hamilton's 7-4 Club #185 asked the entire school to donate books and had a contest to see what class collected the most. Then they delivered the books to the Wee Care Learning Center daycare and read to the children. They shared experiences with each other and some students wrote about visiting the daycare. These letters are in their scrapbook. They learned how to conduct a book drive and that books are important to children. In the future they will remember that everyone needs to learn to read and that some of the books donated were educational.

Mrs. Cole's class at Barker Elementary (Madison County) jumped rope to raise money for the American Heart Association. The students discussed the benefits of jumping rope for one's heart and also to raise money. They learned that jumping rope is fun and good for your heart. Mrs. Cole's students will be more sensitive when asked to give the the heart association.

The Deaton 4-H Club at Jones Cove School (Sevier County) jumped rope at school to raise money for Relay for Life. They learned that helping to save other people's lives is important.

Breeden's 5th grade 4-H Club at Pigeon Forge Middle (Sevier County) collected candy, pencils, trinkets, etc. for patients at the Mountain Hope Clinic.They also included "get well" cards. They learned about the purpose of the clinic, which serves patients with no insurance.

The students in Mrs. Cole's class at Barker Elementary (Madison County) cleaned up a portion of their school grounds. They learned that helping to clean up their campus was nice for the school, family and community. Their volunteer experience has encouraged them to provide a service for someone in their home or community.

At Madison County's Barker Elementary School, Mrs. Cole's class wanted to help raise money for their school. The discussed ways they could help and decided to collected cans for cash. This taught the students that through their efforts their school would receive money for the cans to help purchase supplies for the school. In their efforts they also learned to organize and categorize a collection. The students plan to continue to collect and categorize recyclables at home.

Mrs. Kelton's 4-H club at East Robertson Elementary collected money to help the local fire department give to Toys for Tots. Their goal was $50 but they raised $75! They learned to care for others and to give to people who are less fortunate. They also had a lot of fun!

This club also made Valentines for their Kindergarten buddies. They had fun with the younger children and plan to continue to do things with them.

In March the 4-H'ers wrote cards to soldiers. They also sent care packages to the soldiers with some things they might need or want. They felt good knowing that they were doing something to support our soldiers.

These Madison county 4-H'ers helped feed the hungry at Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. They brought canned foods to each 4-H meeting and collected and delivered a total of eight large boxes to the food bank. They learned that it is truly more blessed to give than receive and that even a few can make a difference.

In September 2002 students planted flower bulbs around the 4th grade building and school. They also planted trees at the front of the building. They gained first hand knowledge of planting and taking care of plants and will use this skill throughout their lives.

This club also raised chicks from eggs in October 2002. They shared their project with kindergartners through second graders. The club members journaled the chicks progress and wrote stories about what they learned. They learned about the lifecycle of chickens and how to care for them. Through this project they gained a working knowledge of time and expense involving raising an animal. The chicks were returned to the farm after the project was complete.

McCarty club members came to the aide of a classmate whose house had burned. They purchased and brought clothes for the entire. They discussed how it made them feel proud to help others. It is an important skill for dealing with emergency situations and will encourage them to help others in time of need.

On November 21, 2002 the club performed a Thanksgiving play for the school. The 4-H'ers used their social studies skills to produce the play. They made backdrops, costumes and memorized scripts using the facts they had learned. In presenting the play they learned about the country's Thanksgiving history and also learned the art of cooperating to reach a goal.

In December 2002 the club collected tray favors and door decorations for Maplewood Nursing Home. They took them to the nursing home and sang songs and visited with the residents. They learned about giving and sharing and will be encouraged to show concern and help their own grandparents.

These club members collected toiletry items, children's books and cleaning supplies for an underprivileged family. The students wrote a paragraph reflecting on what they learned from helping others and how it makes you feel good. They learned the importance of helping others and working together. They will continue to help others and appreciate what they have.

Sutton's 4-H Club at New Center Elementary (Sevier County) collected dog and cat food for the Sevier County Animal Shelter. They discussed the purpose of the shelter and learned that they can help the animals living there.

Breeden's 5th grade 4-H Club at Pigeon Forge Middle (Sevier County) collected candy, pencils, trinkets, etc. for patients at the Mountain Hope Clinic.They also included "get well" cards. They learned about the purpose of the clinic, which serves patients with no insurance.

The Deaton 4-H Club at Jones Cove School (Sevier County) rumped rope at school to raise money for Relay for Life. They learned that helpting to save other people's lives is important.

Mrs. Kelton's 4-H club at East Robertson Elementary collected money to help the local fire department give to Toys for Tots. Their goal was $50 but they raised $75! They learned to care for others and to give to people who are less fortunate. They also had a lot of fun!

This club also made Valentines for their Kindergarten buddies. They had fun with the younger children and plan to continue to do things with them.

In March the 4-H'ers wrote cards to soldiers. They also sent care packages to the soldiers with some things they might need or want. They felt good knowing that they were doing something to support our soldiers.

At Jones Cove School (Sevier County), 5th-8th grade 4-H'ers in the Balch 4-H club collected tabs from drink cans to donate for cancer treatment. They learned that they could do something small but really help people. Their original goal was 500 tabs (one treatment), but before long everyone in the school wanted to be involved. They plan to help others more and get everyone involved.

Sutton's 4-H Club at New Center Elementary (Sevier County) collected dog and cat food for the Sevier County Animal Shelter. They discussed the purpose of the shelter and learned that they can help the animals living there.

Mrs. Zamora's 4-H'ers at Sevierville Intermediate School made Valentine cards for residents of the nursing home. They discussed how the cards would cheer up the residents and learned that all people like cards. They will continue to think of ways to cheer up people who are lonely.

Mrs. Byrd's 4-H club at Caton's Chapel (Sevier County) collected dog and cat food for the county animal shelter. They learned about the shelter's need for food for the animals. They plan to continue to help more often.

Hammer's 4-H Club at Sevierville Intermediate (Sevier County) collected money in their classroom to donate to the March of Dimes. They learned that "we can help in many ways by giving money."

At Caton's Chapel School (Sevier County), Mrs. Stinnett's 4-H club collected money to help Relay for Life. They talked about the importance of helping others and learned about how cancer is a terrible disease.

Zavona's 4-H'ers at Seymour Intermediate School (Sevier County) collected quarters to help people who have cancern. They learned that it is important to help people in need.

Mrs. Collin's 4-H club at Seymour Intermediate made cards to send to soldiers overseas. They said, "We feel that our men and women are a long way from home and a card might make them feel better. We learned that soldiers are helping protect the USA and we can help them by sending a card."

At Northview Middle (Sevier County), Huff's 4-H club donated dog and cat food to the animal shelter. They talked about how animals are in need of food and how they could help the shelter care for the animals. They plan to continue to help the shelter.

Cogan's 4-H Club at Seymour Middle (Sevier County) made cards for people in the nursing home. They talked about how their cards could make others feel happy.

4-H'ers in Dixon's club at Pi Beta Phi School (Sevier County) collected dog and cat food for large and small dogs and cats. They talked about the needs of the animal shelter and what they could do to help. They plan to help the shelter more often.

At Pigeon Forge Middle (Sevier County), Mrs. Dodgen's 6th grade 4-H club raised money for a family in Morgan County whose home was destroyed in the tornado. The class discussed the tragic events of the November storm and the damage it caused. They wanted to make a difference to the family that lost their home. They learned that even the smallest thing can help a person in need.

4-H'ers at Watauga Elementary (Robertson County) collected can tabs to give to 4-H for community service. They wanted to recycle and raise money to help others.

At Greenbrier Elementary (Robertson County), Mrs. Tharpe's 4th grade 4-H club performed a Christmas program at a local nursing home. The elderly residents enjoyed the performance and the youth learned to perform, help others, and the joy of Christmas.

This club also sang songs at another nursing home. It was the first time a class had sung Christmas songs to them and they enjoyed the performance very much.

Miss Blanton's 4-H Explorers Club at Joelton Elementary (Davidson County) wanted to cheer up the patients at Bordeaux Hospital throughout the school year. They made baskets and favors for the patients for five months. The projects were as follows:

• November: pilgrim baskets with chocolate-covered marshmallows and cookie pilgrim hats
• December: Christmas baskets with hand-made candy airplanes
• February: Valentine's baskets with homemade candy hearts
• March: St. Patrick's Day baskets with different types of candy
• April-May: hand-colored spring baskets with artificial flowers, short letters, and hand-drawn pictures

Parents delivered the baskets each month and occassionally the students were able to go. The Explorers were eager to work on their projects each month and often finished their classwork early so they could start a new project. They learned to share with their classmates and with older people. The group received thank-you letters from the hospital director and Volunteers of Davidson County.

Ms. Highsmith's 4th grade club at Coopertown Elementary (Robertson County) collected supplies for the YMCA's afterschool program, Y-Cap. They learned to help others in need.

At Greenbrier Elementary, Mrs. Nicks' 4-H Club collected for Toys for Tots, gave Easter eggs to people who are hearing impaired, and sent care packages to soldiers. They learned to share what they have and to show their love and support to others.

Ms. Akin's 4-H'ers at Greenbrier Elementary collected canned food in the lobby of their school. They reflected through group discussions and learned the value of sharing. They said, "We had fun and we are looking forward to doing it again."