4-H donation begins a new Trinity tradition
Helen Williams writes, quoting a recent thank you note from a generous donor: “I attended the marvelous dinner (to support the 4-H program) as a guest. I thoroughly enjoyed the lovely meal, friendly companionship, and heartwarming testimonies!”
This sums up the feelings that filled Trinity Church Hall in Washington with so many supporters on November 9 for the Harvest Dinner.
“This dinner provided $8000-plus in profits which was presented to Linda Baldwin (secretary for the program) and Kenner Love (VT extension agent) on Jan. 22. The Women of Trinity had decided to support the 4-H program in this county for their fundraising dinner last year. Since they no longer have a house tour and dried flower sale to raise money to support their charities, they are choosing specific county programs that can benefit from financial help,” Williams explained.
Williams, Susan Jones and Beth Hall led the team of parishioners who planned the event, decorated the tables, cooked and served the food, and gathered together former 4-H members, parents, teachers and other leaders who have made the program
an important part of growing up in Rappahannock County for many years.
Many people think of 4-H as the provider of summer camps for the county’s children, but the clubs and workshops sponsored by 4-H go on all year, not just in summertime, and in many venues, including schools, people’s homes, and anywhere else an expert can find to meet with interested students.
“Reminiscences — of time spent at camp, in barns, grooming animals
for show, in gardens growing plants, in homes doing sewing and other art projects — filled the hall and were told by people of all ages,” Williams recalls. “Pictures from summer camp, badges, and banners decorated the space, and generations of families attested to the importance of the program as they grew up in rural Virginia. The county is currently interviewing for a new program leader, but clubs and workshops for the students are continuing as usual.”