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Forever 4-Hers keep projects going

Pandemic didn’t stop club from working to support community

Like many of the area 4-H clubs, the Forever 4-Hers felt the effects of the pandemic this summer, yet found a way to continue as a club and take care of community projects.

“Community service is very important to my club and I feel it is an important life lesson to give back to our community and make the world a better place,” said head adviser Mary Kay Erb.

“Before COVID-19, we made more than 100 treat bags for veterans,” she said, noting these were given to the veterans at the VA clinic on Belmont Avenue. “And we made Hershey Kiss rose bouquets and sold them for Valentine’s Day to raise money for the Great Strides Cystic Fibrosis Walk in May. We raised $812.”

This year the actual walk was canceled, so club members continued to participate virtually at home.

New ways were found to keep the community projects going. Two members made masks, and all the members made “thank you” hearts that were hung at St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital in the ICU and PACU (recovery room).

“We made more than 100 ‘thank you’ cards and more ‘thank you’ hearts that were sent to front-line nurses working in New York,” Erb said.

Erb said when the virus hit, the club of 13 members stopped meeting as a group per the rules from 4-H.

“We did have a Zoom meeting and my daughter, Emily and I, went to each 4-H family’s house a couple times to visit” outside 6 feet apart, she said. “We also did group texting and individual texting to check up on everyone.”

Most of the members have already had their small projects judged for 2020. Erb said six participated in virtual judging and all six won county awards. Four members participated in the safety poster contest.

The club has representation at the closed Junior Fair this year. Member Chase Toy, who serves on the Mahoning County Junior Fair Board, was selected to be on the Royal Court and is an Outstanding Youth. Both Chase and her sister Channing Toy also are in a dog club and are working their dogs at this year’s fair.

Erb said as a nurse, it has been a tough year, but one of her 4-H kids made cookies and cupcakes to thank front- line workers, which Erb took to work. Another club member made dinner and bread for Erb to “encourage her.”

“I am a registered nurse and have worked at Mercy Health for 32 years,” Erb said. “I currently work in PACU where I have been for 1 1/2 years. But because I have critical care training I worked in the ICU during the peak of the pandemic taking care of COVID-19 patients.”

She’s been an adviser for six years. Daughter Emily is her assistant adviser.

“This year, with COVID and because I was working in the ICU exposed every day to COVID patients, I did not help any of my 4-H kids with their projects. It’s been a very different year for 4-H. My 4-H kids are in five different school systems and home schooling, so I like to do community service projects — where the kids can work together and become better friends.”

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