Blount
Coffee
Hardeman
Hickman
Lewis
Lincoln
Madison
Robertson
Sevier
UTK Collegiate 4-H

The Coffee County Honor Club participated in Operation Christmas Child in order to give kids around the world a Christmas they would always remember. As a part of the project, they wrapped and filled empty shoe boxes to be sent to a needy child. They reflected through a group discussion about the type of impacy they would have on the kids. They learned to show compassion and help others.

This club also filled shoe boxes with goodies such as toys, clothes, educational items and candy for victims of the tsunami. They reflected with a group discussion. They learned "what compassion is and how to be compassionate for others." They reported, "We will never see them face to face. We do not know exactly who will receive the boxes. We can only imagine they will be thrilled with the gift."

Mrs. Gibson's 5th grade 4-H club at Toone Elementary made Chrismas cards for residents of a local nursing home. They reflected by discussing how the residents might feel. They learned to give back to others, and they plan to continue to help out in their community.

4-H'ers ini the Service Learning Club (Alternative School) teamed with the Lewis County Garden Club to renovate the landscape gardens at the city's downtown gazebo and park. The 4-H'ers assisted garden club members by pulling weeds, removing invasive plants, adding mulch to the beds, sweeping walkways, and picking up litter. The club has adopted this area as an ongoing project.

The club reflected through a group discussion. They discussed the importance of their project, how it made the garden club members feel, how it made the youth participants feel, ways it benefitted the community, and ideas for future projects. They drew a figure of a person and listed ideas of using head, heart, hands, and health to benefit the community and its individuals.

The 4-H'ers learned about responsibility, caring, the food feeling from a job well done, teamwork, that they are important, self-worth, and gardening basics.

All the members stated that they want to continue in service learning beyond this alternative school project. They discussed other areas that their skills could be used and how to apply themselves to make it happen.

The Lincoln County Homeschool 4-H Club helped the local Red Cross chapter with their fall fundraiser, a Duckie Race at Big Spring Park. They promoted and event so that more duckies were adopted. They succeeded in getting 126 duckies adopted. Although the members admitted that selling is not their favorite thing to do, they had fun and felt that it was a worthwhile activity. In the future, the group will be open to helping other community agencies with various projects.

For a project called "Warm Dogs," the members brought in towels, blankets and other items needed by the local Humane Society. Items were collected and delivered by the co-service learning leader. They learned that "there is often a greater need than we imagine for many of our non-profit organizations. We also learned that often times these needs are more than just monetary needs and are things that we can easily help with.

Each 4-H family was challenged to donate 10 hours of service as a family to whatever cause/charity/project they wished to. One family chose to make weekly visits to a local nursing home. They learned social skills and about meeting the needs of others. Another family chose to volunteer at the local animal shelter for several hours each week. They learned about how many neglected and unwanted animals are in their community, about the importance of spaying and neutering, and basic animal care. Both families enjoyed their service contributions and are planning to continue with their family projects. They reported that "volunteering as a family strengthened family bonds, as well as made us feel good about ourselves, our family and our communities."

The King 5th grade 4-H club dnoated food and toys to the animal shelter. They enjoyed bringing in things for the animals. They learned to help animals and plan to continue helping others in the future.

Ms. Hogan's 5th grade club at Cheatham Park Elementary raised money to send flowers to nursing home residents. They felt good knowing they cheered someone up. They learned that one small thing can brighten up someone's day. The project inspired some members to visit nursing homes and cheer up the residents.

At Coopertown Elementary, the Hardenburgh 5th grade 4-H club collected coats to help two families. They learned about taking care of other people. They reported that they "wanted to do more."

Mrs. Keel's class at East Robertson Elementary collected items for the Vanderbilt Children's Hospital. The members were excited about this fun project and couldn't wait to start donating things to the children at the hospital. They learned that "donating things to other people is fun." They plan on donating things to people in the future. The club reported, "We had fun making other people really happy. We are sure all of the people who got the gifts are happy. We all hope they are. We wish we could send a lot more gifts than we did. We just want them to know we care. We also want to make them happy. We would like to see the smiles on the children's faces when we gave them the gifts. We wish we could do more projects like this."

This club also took part in "Hearts in Bloom." They collected money for the project. Some even gave up their daily snack money. They learned to be nicer and more caring to other people.

In January the club held a bake sale to raise money for the tsunami relief fund. They raised $600! Both the students and the adults enjoyed the treats that were baked for them. They learned that any amount of money, no matter how much it is, can help. They learned that "it doesn't take a lot to make a difference."

The Stroud 4-H Club at East Robertson Elementary conducted three service projects this year. They took part in the Angel Tree by saving money for children who wouldn't have much at Christmas. They helped with tsunami relief the week after the disaster happened. They also learned how to make someone's day by helping the American Heart Association.

Ms. Dean's 4th grade 4-H club at East Robertson Elementary brought in coats for the "Warm Coats for Warm Hearts" project. Their teacher reported, "The participants did a really good job. . . . They really enjoyed it." They learned not to be selfish and to care for others. They plan to continue thinking about and helping others.

The Smiley 4th grade 4-H club at Greenbrier Elementary wrote Valentine cards to the Veterans Hospital in Nashville. They learned to help others and be nice.

Ms. Nicks' 5th grade 4-H club at Greenbrier Elementary wrote letters to soldiers and also bought goodies to send them. The learned that it is nice to send things to soldiers, and the project made them feel happy and special.

Mrs. Tharpe's 4th grade 4-H club at Greenbrier Elementary wrote letters to soldiers at Christmas. They wanted to let the soldiers know that "we appreciate them and we're thinking of them at Christmas time." They reflected on how the soldiers would feel when they got the letters.

This club also participated in Toys for Tots. They brought in toys that they had purchased with their parents. They learned that "helping others is always a good trait."

The club participated in the kick-off of Operation: Military Kids (a statewide program) by collecting disposable cameras for children whose parents are currently deployed overseas with the Tennessee National Guard. They reflected by discussing what the project represents. They learned that there are others in need and that 4-H'ers can help.

Mr. Overcast's 5th grade 4-H club at Greenbrier Elementary conducted a project to recycle paper. They learned not to waste trees and the put paper in the recycling can.

At Greenbrier Elementary, the Stevenson 5th grade 4-H club brought in toys for Toys for Tots. They reflected by discussing the benefits of giving to others. They learned that "helping children in need leaves them with a great feeling of pride." They will remember the feeling and continue to help others throughout life.

The Tolleson 5th grade 4-H club at Jo Byrns School put school supplies, toys and other materials in shoe boxes for Florida hurrican victims. They learned to help people. They plan to look for other needs in the community.

Mrs. Kelton's 4-H club at Robert Woodall Elementary made spring cards for a local nursing home. They all enjoyed the project because they wanted the cards to brighten the residents' day. They learned how important it is to think of other people.

The club made birthday cards for a young cancer patient. His aunt is a teacher at their school, and she told the club how special he felt when he received their cards.

In February the club helped raise money for the tsunami victims by helping out at their local school dance. They helped and watched younger children at the dance, and they used their own money for donationa. They reported, "This project was work, but it was fun." They all enjoyed doing something for others.

At Robert Woodall Elementary, the Fentress 5th grade 4-H club collected teddy bears. They gave the bears to the White House Fire Department to be shared with children who are in the hospital or who have lost their homes. They wanted to "help kids have stuff to play with." They learned to "give and not keep" and they use what they learned to teach their kids to help out.

At Westside School, Ms. Mason's 5th grade 4-H club sent Valentines to troops overseas. They reflected by discussing what it is like to be away from friends and relatives. They learned to be thankful for what the men and women in the military have done.

The Sanders 5th grade 4-H club at Westside School sent Christmas cards to Argentina. They also sent roses to a neighbor through the Hearts in Bloom program and supplies to soldiers. They learned to be caring and to touch people's hearts.

Mrs. Vigluicci's club at Caton's Chapel raised money for the Forgotten Child Fund by selling cookie dough. They reflected through a group discussion. They learned to help others and will continue to help people in the future.

The club also raised money for tsunami relief. They reflected with a group discussion. They learned that the tsunami was a disaster that affected everyone.

At Pi Beta Phi, the Ownby 4-H club brought in items to send to a soldier serving in Iraq. They reflected by thinking about how much soldiers do for us. They learned to stop and think of our soldiers more often. They felct "good for helping someone who hasn't seen America in months."

In October the club brought in cans of tuna and money for the Sevier County Food Ministries. They were proud to help. They reported learned concern for others and they plan to help others who are hungry.

Miss O'Brien's homeroom at Pigeon Forge Middle wanted to help in the 4-H Hooked on Helping Hunger tuna drive. They collected 50 cans of tuna and $49 to donate to the Sevier County Food Ministries. They reflected with a group discussion. They learend how to help others in need during the upcoming holiday season and will continue helping others in the years to come.

The club also collected items to send to our troops in Iraq. They filled a bag for a service member in the 278th. They also put together a box for a classmate's cousin stationed in Iraq. They learned that "our servicemen and women are fighting for our freedom. They also learned that it is good to share special items with those who cannot receive them especially during the holidays."

Mr. Reagan's 4-H club at Pigeon Forge Middle School sent food to the food ministry in December. They learned "not just to care for yourself, but you also need to care for others as well as yourself." They felt good about what they did. One club member wrote, "I hope that whoever the food what we sent goes to that it will really help them. I also hope that all of the students that were involved in the community service project have a good feeling in their hearts knowing they they might have helped someone that hadn't eaten all day!"

They sent gifts to veterans at Christmas. They "helped veterans by sending in food for a feast for Christmas." They wrote a letter for reflection. They learned that you should help people and they plan to help people in the future.

In February they sent Valentines to the people in a local nursing hime. They reported, "We all felt very good about making the elderly happy!!! I think that everyone learned that even a card can make the biggest difference!!!"

The club sent diapers, formula and crib sheets to needy babies. They are learning to care for others through projects like this one.

In March the club gave candy to a soldier, their teacher's son. It is a welcome home gift for when he returns to Sevier County. For reflection, they "talked about how much a little gesture can do for a person." They learned that something small can do something big.

The Zamora 4-H Club at Sevierville Intermediate collected tuna and money for needy residents of Sevier County. They reflected through a group discussion on the benefits ot helping those in need. They learned to help others and they plan to continue helping those in need through community service.

This club also wrote letters to a soldier stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia and later in Germany. They learned how to "cheer up a lonely soldier" and they want to continue sending him letters.

In December they sent their "adopted" soldier a goody bag. For reflection, they talked about their project and also included fun, cheery letters to him.

The Bass 4-H Club at Seymour Intermediate adopted a soldier from the 278th serving in Iraq. They collected personal items to send to the soldier for Christmas. They reflected with a group discussion. They learned that it is important to help others in need. "Our soldiers are over there protecting our freedom and we need to show them that we appreciate them."

The club also made goody bags for the Ronald McDonald House. The bags included shampoo, soap, mouthwash, gum, deoderant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, breath mints and tissues. They learned "to help others who are in need during difficult rimes in their lives."

Ms. Franklin's 5th grade 4-H club at Seymour Intermediate collected 87 cans of tuna and $18 (which is equal to 36 additional cans) to feed hungry people through the Volunteer Ministry's Food Pantry. Everyone talked about making a huge goal of 80 cans of tuna. When they reached that goal, they decided to go for 100. They surpassed this goal, as well. They learned that they could help people who need food. They also learned how to organize a drive and deliver items for food drives.

This 4-H club also adopted two servicemen serving in Iraq. They collected snacks and personal items and mailed to their servicement along with letters and pictures of the 4-H'ers holding "THANK YOU!" signs. This project was eye-opening for the youth. They learned how servicemen and women sacrifice for their country. It also made them realize that we are very blessed to live in the United States of America.

In November, the club collected items to send to a soldier serving with the 278th in Iraq. They learned how important it is to say thank you and that servicemen "deserve our respect and honor."

In December the club collected toys for the Toys for Tots program. The project helped many to realize that several children go without toys, etc. during the holiday season. They reported, "It also makes you feel good to do something for someone else."

In February the club took up money to donate for tsunami relief. The money was collected during a schoolwide fundraiser for the Red Cross. Students were encouraged to give up their snack money for this project. The project helped the young people know that they "could do something to help people far away during a low point in their lives." They learned that they could make a difference by giving even a small amount of money, because small amounts add up quickly.

In March they took part in a Leprechaun Walk to raise money for the school computer lab. They asked individuals for sponsorship. Parents counted the laps the students walked. Then the students collected and turned in the money. They collected $49! They learned about conducting a walk-a-thon and asking for donations. They also learned "that when everyone does their part that it makes it better for all."

In March and April they collected 56 items to send with a member's parents on a medical mission trip to Haiti. They realized how many people do not have basic necessities like shampoo, toothpaste or a toothbrush. They reported, "Sometimes we take items like these for granted that we will have an unlimited supply." They learned always to try to help people and to be thankful. The project made them more conscious of those in need and how they can help them.

The Collegiate 4-H Club at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville provided gourds for children attending the annual Fall Festival to decorate. They reflected through a scrapbook. They learned how a small effort of a group can make a big impact in the lives of others.

A Crockett County
4-H'er proudly displays the "Hands and Feet Turkey" she made for a local nursing home.