Somerset County 4-H Clubs Spread Generosity and Joy
SOMERSET COUNTY 4-H CLUBS SPREAD GENEROSITY AND JOY
By Jill Brochinsky, 4-H Program Coordinator and Prep/Cloverbud Coordinator
March 2025
New Centre Dairy 4-H Club (NCD) adopted a family through USPS's Operation Santa program. The club collected gifts for a family of 3 boys, located in New Jersey, for them to enjoy around the holidays. In addition, the club held a fundraiser called "Cocoa with the Calves". During this fundraising event NCD raised money for their lease farm, Middlebush Farms. In January, NCD hosted a Cattleman's Lock-in at the 4-H Center with the Hunterdon County Beef club where they collected 65 lbs. of protein sourced canned food for a Somerset County food bank. The club also donated 2 baskets worth of items to the 4-H Tricky Tray Fundraiser. NCD's theme every year is "Jersey Fresh" where they give the members an opportunity to highlight the local farms and businesses and the Jersey based products that they carry.
On Target Archery 4-H Club held a cereal collection in conjunction with National 4-H Shooting sports. The club collected 35 boxes of cereal and 16 cans of milk and donated them to the Somerset County food bank.
The Prep Ensemble 4-H Club made 4 quarts of Chicken Soup which they froze and gave to the food pantry at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Somerville. Prior to making the soup, the club read a story called The Eight Knights of Hanukkah. The knights in the story all did good deeds and one of them was making soup for hungry neighbors. The food pantry is open one Sunday a month and feeds between 30 and 60 families each time. Quarts of frozen homemade soup are offered each month in addition to fresh produce and staples for pantry, toiletries and cleaning.
The Clover Ensemble 4-H Club along with Prep Chefs 4-H Club baked and decorated over 150 cookies for the 4-H Community Free Holiday Dinner.
Additionally, the Gingersnaps 4-H Club brightened the days of hospitalized and homebound individuals by coloring heartfelt pictures, and participants of the NJ State 4-H Cupcake Wars created over 50 thoughtful cards, which were donated to a local VA hospital. The 4-H Crafty Clovers showed appreciation for veterans by crafting valentines, and the 4-H Outdoor Club contributed to the community by assisting with a park cleanup effort.
These actions highlight the incredible ways the members and leaders of the 4-H Youth Development Program give back and make a difference!