Area Extension clubs honored at Arkansas council meeting
Bibs for the elderly and an arts and crafts fair were among the record book projects recognized during the annual meeting of the Arkansas Extension Homemakers Council.
Garland County Extension Homemakers Council and two extension homemakers clubs in the county are among the 75 local clubs and county councils honored during the awards ceremony held at the Hot Springs Convention Center.
The 5,000- member state council is a volunteer organization associated with the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. During 2011, the members contributed 478,846 hours of volunteer service statewide for an estimated value of more than $ 10 million.
The state council is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Extension Homemakers/ Home Demonstration work in Arkansas.
Those honored from Garland County and their projects are:
• Garland County Extension Homemakers Council – Hot Springs Arts and Crafts Fair: The Hot Springs Arts and Crafts Fair began in 1968 by 11 extension homemakers in Garland County. It is an event for the whole community that includes more than 375 crafters, concessions, music and a children’s area. A special committee plans and oversees the show, while additional members of the county council run the kitchen and other concessions. The 175 volunteers gave 1,150 hours.
• Park/ Heights – Bibs for the Elderly: While visiting a nursing home, members noticed the nurses tying towels around patients to keep them clean during mealtime. They decided to make bibs for them. The club gathered fabric and designed them, adding a pocket on the bottom to catch food if it went in their laps. Terry cloth was used for the bib with another fabric for the yoke and a Velcro fastener. Five members volunteered 30 hours and $ 30.
Crazy Quilters – Cuddle Dolls: Cuddle Dolls are intended for children to show where they are hurt to personnel in medical fields, abuse clinics, law enforcement and other child protection agencies.
All club members were involved. Some cut and sewed, while others stuffed and closed the openings and others tied the crayons onto the dolls. Twenty- two members volunteered 215 hours. All materials were donated.
Information about Extension Homemakers is available by calling a county extension office.