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Service projects allow youngsters to reach out and help their communities

TOMS RIVER – Children and families created service projects in one day for the the first “Giving Thanks Event – A Day of Community Service.”

On Nov. 17, Ocean County 4-H served as the host to the event at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension to help children and families give back to their communities.

Ocean County 4-H is a youth development program that uses a learn-by-doing approach to enable youth to develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need to become competent, caring and contributing citizens. The goal is accomplished by using the knowledge and resources of caring adults, according to the organization’s website.

Projects included making braided bracelets for children at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, making cross-stitch American flags for veterans and their families, making toys for an animal shelter and pets awaiting adoption, and making centerpieces for a holiday dinner at a local assisted living facility.

Tamara Pellien, who organized the event, said, “The children get a sense of making a difference from this event. As a community member, it makes me feel good that people care about their community. It is great to see how we as a community can make sad times a little brighter for our communities.”

She said the projects are inspiring because they directly impact people’s lives.

“I hope this event happens every year. We have 50 people today. If we can make it bigger that would be wonderful, but if it were to stay like today it would still be wonderful,” Pellien said.

Mie Lowe of Whiting was among the parents participating in the day of service.

“Our club is called ‘Utter Chaos’ and we are making centerpieces for nursing homes … We do this project every year with the children and the people in the nursing homes love it,” Lowe said.

Frank Alleva of Jackson is a hospice volunteer and a Vietnam veteran. He was a guest at the event.

“I went to visit a patient in the hospital and his granddaughter started a project in honor of her grandfather. They are stitching little flags. I was invited here to see their finished product. Their goal is to make 100 flags and I will help distribute them to veterans in the community,” Alleva said.

He commended the children for working on service projects to help people in their community.

Teresa McGayhey of Toms River leads the club “Fine Feathered Friends,” whose members also participated in the event.

“We are painting ornaments for local nursing homes. I love days like this. So many clubs here are showing how they are reaching out to their communities. We want to brighten up people’s day with this project,” McGayhey said.

She said club members have been painting ornaments for five years.

Valerie Greco of Toms River was a guest in support of the club “Wise Crackers.” The club’s members were making paper flowers for local nursing homes.

“I think they should have an event like this more often. The service projects are wonderful and the children are eager to help others today,” Greco said.

The “Jackson’s Mane Attraction and Science Club” had children creating thank you cards for military service members overseas. The 4-H Cat and Dog club had children making treats to bag and give to local shelters. Members of “Critter Craze” were creating bags for nursing homes.

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