Heartland 4-H Club, in partnership with the Lykens Township Trustees, recently completed a community service project at the Lykens Community Park. Club members painted the picnic shelter and tables, doors on the township garage, and playground equipment. The club members also worked with parents to reconstruct broken playground equipment.
“Each year our club chooses a project to complete for community service,” says Greg Hartschuh, club advisor. “In the past, we have partnered with organizations such as Crawford County Help Me Grow and the Humane Society. This year, the club’s community service committee suggested working in the park, and the other members voted to undertake the project. In one day, we were able to accomplish quite a bit.”
The Heartland 4-H holds their meetings at the Lykens Community Hall, so the project had extra meaning. One 4-H member commented, “It was nice to see all of us work together and make the community a better place. Hopefully lots of families will be able to enjoy the park, and we can even use it during our 4-H meetings.”
Carter Lumber donated supplies for Heartland’s project, and Clady’s Wallpaper and Paint provided paint at a discounted rate. Club advisors Greg and Rose Hartschuh, Diane Hartschuh, Rodney Ruth, Toni Schafer, and Chad Gebhardt guided the 4-H members, and several parents volunteered their time, as well. The bulk of the work, however, was done by the members themselves, who range in age from five (4-H Cloverbuds) to 18.
4-H clubs around the nation work to make their members and communities a better place. Using the pillars of head, heart, hands, and health, members learn about themselves and a variety of topics. Community service and leadership are integral components of the 4-H club experience. To learn more about 4-H in the county, please visit www.crawford.osu.edu