By Karen Hendrix
For The Tribune
Jackson County Extension Homemakers Association’s Fall Fling was held Nov. 14 at Kay’s Café in Brownstown.
Eighteen members attended from four clubs in the county. Clubs attending were Kum Join Us, which hosted and provided snacks, Friends and Neighbors, Wegan Wide Awake and Freetown Friends.
Molly Marshall, the Indiana Extension Homemakers Club educator for Jackson County, also was present. Drinks were provided by Kay’s Café.
Misty Stuckwisch opened the meeting with the club creed and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members were asked their name and club they were representing during roll call and also asked to say something about themselves that no one knew. One member collected vintage bottles, and someone in our group was related to the creator of “Garfield.”
A motion was passed to add ceiling fans and to possibly paint the Family Arts Building at the Jackson County Fairgrounds. A motion was passed to set aside funds for these improvements. New benches are being discussed for next year also.
Sales from the annual bake sale exceeded our expectations. A motion was passed to add funds needed from our treasury in order to make available two $500 scholarships rather than one $1,000. What a great opportunity for two young people. The criteria to become eligible for these scholarships is available through school counselors or the Indiana Extension Homemakers Association website.
Stuckwisch discussed Operation Christmas Child and what a great opportunity to help children in need. She told us how her church works on their shoeboxes year-round by finding things on sale, shopping online and thrifting items. My own Bible study group filled 50 boxes this year, and we are planning to do this again next year. It gave us all a great feeling knowing we were helping children that don’t have everyday items, such as combs, toothbrushes and even a bar of soap and a washcloth.
You can participate by visiting the Operation Christmas Child website. You can order boxes to fill yourself that cost a small fee, and there is also a small shipping fee. You can also pay a flat rate and have your box filled for you if you don’t have time to shop yourself.
Stuckwisch also provided a game called brown, orange or red, which had a description of an item and we had to guess the color and what you thought the item was. One clue on the list was “something that gives out bright light, heat and smoke.” This color could be either red or orange, but we all know it to be fire. A drink that gives you wings was another clue. This is the slogan for Red Bull, which is the color red. Some were quite difficult and had more than one answer, but overall, we did really well.
Door prizes were donated from each club. Everyone was asked to sign in as they arrived, and names were drawn. Five members won such items as embroidered tea towels, candy, spices and a wall decoration.
Members brought nonperishable food items to disperse to the 14 Little Food Pantries in Jackson County. Items were divided, and members dropped them off to the pantries later that evening. Some took photos before and after. In most of the before pictures, the shelves were totally empty. It’s sad to know that kids go to bed each night with empty bellies.
We need to remember there is a need for this year-round, not just during the holiday season. It seems to me we are asked to give more often during the holidays, but anyone can drop food at the little pantries at any time. Hunger doesn’t happen only in November and December. What can you do to help?