Club members show Valley all about 4-H

By ELISE McKEOWN SKOLNICK

news@vindy.com

CANFIELD

Members of Mahoning County 4-H clubs filled tables with projects, pictures, scrapbooks and more.

The kids and their club advisers were at the Lord of Life Lutheran Church on Saturday to show the community what 4-H is all about.

The 19 clubs participating in 4-H Community Day brought samples of what they’ve been working on throughout the year.

“That way they can share with each other, as well as any members of the community who stop in to see what 4-H is all about,” said Janice Hanna, 4-H educator for Mahoning County.

Though animals are an important part of 4-H, Hanna said, many clubs focus on other interests.

Clubs offer sewing, cooking, archery, marksmanship, photography, community service and more.

“Animals are still important to 4-H,” Hanna said. “But there is such a wide variety today. And we’re trying to respond to the needs of today’s youth.”

Pamela Ventimiglia of Canfield brought her three nature-loving daughters to learn more about 4-H.

“I want to get involved with animals,” Ashley, 8, said. Her twin sister, Brianna, agreed.

“We love animals,” said 10-year-old Amanda.

They also expressed an interest in planting trees.

“They love that whole agriculture, outdoorsy kind of thing,” Ventimiglia said. 4-H “sounds like a real healthy, fun, wonderful kind of thing for them to get involved in.”

Joining a 4-H club gives kids the opportunity to meet people they wouldn’t otherwise and to try their hand at various projects, said Margie Stanwood, adviser for the 59-year-old Beaver Zippers 4-H club.

The Zippers focus on sewing and cooking. The 12 girls in the club meet twice a month, display their work at the Canfield Fair and participate in community-service projects, such as sewing hats for cancer patients.