4-H officers elected at Oct. 4 meeting
By Sam Waller
Shackelford County 4-H members conducted their first official meeting of the year Monday, electing officers and establishing service projects for the year.
Shackelford County extension agent Kelsey Bell said about 30 families attended the meeting with more than 50 4-Hers participating. Bell said the club has 76 members.
Junior officers elected were Tara Cauble, president; Trevor Bellah, vice president; Artie Bell, secretary; Carly Kreitler, treasurer; Gage Burton, reporter; and Luke Smith, parliamentarian.
Senior officers are Johnnie Hise, president; Leddie Leech, vice president; Faith Fry, secretary; Grace Fry, treasurer; Connor Smith, reporter; and Riley Reames, parliamentarian.
The club will conduct district and local service projects that will continue throughout the school year.
"The district service project is called ‘Writing to Heal’,” Bell said. “We’ll be writing letters to nursing home residents.”
Bell said the aim of the project is to establish or strengthen relationships with the residents.
“We’re just trying to push back against the negatives that have come from COVID protocols,” she said. “Of course, we understand why they’re in place, but this is for nursing residents who are alone and not allowed to receive visitors.”
Bell said the goal for District 7, which includes Shackelford County, is 1,000 letters.
The local service project will be to volunteer for Closet Angels.
“Students can go in and volunteer anytime the facility is open or volunteers are there,” Bell said. “Closet Angels director Lori Reames is shorthanded and needs a lot of help. We’re trying to do that in an organized way.”
The 4-H club will also be conducting a Jerky Jackpot fundraiser to help pay for projects.
“Bob Tallman, the famous rodeo announcer, has a beef jerky business,” Bell said. “He has partnered with Texas 4-H to help raise funds for each individual county.”
Bell said she and club members will send out information via email, phone calls, and social media posts. All orders must be placed online.
“There’s a way to put in the 4-Her or the county you’re ordering through,” Bell said. “The profits from that sale will come directly to Shackelford County.”
Upcoming Meetings
The cooking class will meet at 3:45 p.m. Thursday at Nancy Smith Elementary School.
Sewing participants will meet at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Friendship Baptist to wrap up National 4-H Week efforts.
The rifle group will have a regular practice at 2:00 p.m. Sunday.
Bell said details for the next regular club meeting are to be determined.
