4-H group embarks on service project

The Northeast Nodaway Bluejays 4-H Club gathered Sunday afternoon at the Ravenwood Community Center to take part in a food drive. All food collected was donated to the Nodaway County Ministry Center, located at 971 S. Main in Maryville.

A local 4-H group is out to make a big impact during November.

The Northeast Nodaway Bluejays 4-H Club, along with group leader Dana Auffert, has organized a food drive and a card-writing campaign for veterans at the Dwight D. Eisenhower U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Leavenworth, Kansas.

Auffert said the goal of the 4-H group’s community service is for the children to learn the importance of giving back to their community.

“We get a lot of support,” Auffert said. “So it’s important that the kids learn to give back whenever they have a chance.”

The group hosted its food drive Sunday. Non-perishable foodstuffs collected were donated to the Nodaway County Ministry Center food pantry in Maryville.

Bluejays 4-H members have also been making cards for U.S. military veterans in preparation for Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Usually, the group creates Valentine’s Day cards to send to residents at nursing homes and veterans homes, as well as to serving military personnel stationed overseas, Auffert said.

This year though, the young people decided to do something different.

“I have a friend who is involved with the VA in Leavenworth,” Auffert said, “and she offered to distribute cards for us to the veterans who are currently receiving care.”

Youngsters in Auffert’s 4-H group, which has about 30 members, made as many as three or four cards each to thank the veterans for their service and expressing best wishes.

The cards will be distributed Nov. 11.

Community service is nothing new to Bluejays 4-H members. The club has received the 4-H Youth Service to Communities Award for the past four years.