48 hours of 4-H was designed for 4-H members to choose a project that would make an impact on their community. Over 75 4-H members rallied on Sunday, October 11, to serve a meal and make some money but most importantly they came to help honor the Kansas veterans.
Barton County 4-H families joined together and raised over $1,700 for the Kansas Honor Flight program by serving a breakfast meal at the American Legion in Great Bend. National 4-H Week was October 4 through the 10, and the week was celebrated in many ways within their own clubs. At the end of the week the members are asked to give at least three hours of their time to do something that would help make their community a better place to live. At a 4-H Council meeting the members made a list of several different ways they could help make a difference. By the end of the meeting, helping the Kansas Honor Flight program was at the top of the list.
A letter was sent to some of the veterans who had flown to Washington DC most recently to see their war memorial. The veterans were asked if they would attend the event and share the day with 4-H members. Dave Christianson received his letter and made a quick call to the Extension Office to say he would be at the fundraiser. He brought along a book that his grandson had created about their memorable trip to the Nation’s Capitol. Dave’s grandson accompanied Dave on the trip as a guardian.
The day would not have been as successful without the help of some very generous donors and without the help of those at the American Legion. The pancakes and sausage were expertly prepared by the Dougherty family and friends. Parents of the 4-H members were present to guide and teach their children how to greet the guests and serve food and drinks in the correct way. The most valuable part of the event was the conversation between the generations. 4-H members planned the event in hopes of making an make an impact on their community. In the end, the veterans of Barton County made an impact on some young people in the 4-H program.
Barton County 4-H would like to thank all those who attended and generously donated to the Kansas Honor Flights. More information on the Kansas Honor Flight program can be found at www.kansashonorflights.org
Berny Unruh, Barton County 4-H Youth and Development Agent, is a guest columnist for the Great Bend Tribune. She can be reached at 620-793-1910 or bunruh@ksu.edu