The Pella Eagles 4-H Club began in 1998 with 12 members, including the sons of current co-leaders Lynn Tober-Steinke and Julie Bishop. The boys were old enough to be Cloverbuds.
Now the Pella Eagles have more than 40 members who are very active in their club and in their community.
“Our club motto is ‘Building future leaders,’” Tober-Steinke said. “We know, of course, that everyone may not be a leader, but what Pella 4-H focuses on is giving the 4-H’ers the tools to help them personally recognize their strengths.”
Allyn Steinke, who wasn’t old enough to be a member, suggested the name since there was an eagle’s nest not far from the town hall where they meet. The kids all agreed. Now there have been many eagles raised from that nest and many 4-Hers who have graduated and gone into different walks of life.
“Keeping the kids in perspective helps them and us to grow in so many ways,” Bishop said.
4-H used to be stereotyped into a farming organization, but that has changed. Members can take projects such as robotics and aerospace. Projects include cake decorating, woodworking, photography, visual arts and many others, in addition to the animal projects.
Members can attend state and national conventions, such as Space Camp, and host exchange families from other states. Members go to Camp Susan and then become camp counselors.
“We have also been very fortunate to have adults take the lead locally for being local and county project leaders,” Tober-Steinke said.
Ted and Gina Jobe work with the goat project, Mary Pluger with leathercraft and candy making, Lori List in the Shawano County Aerospace project, and Kevin and Deb Rades in Shawano County Shooting Sports.
The club earns money by working with the Pella Pond Association selling food at their events.
“The money is donated to someone in need from both the winter and summer fishing derbies,” Bishop said. “The Pella Pond group has voted to match our funds for each benefit.”
The club hosts a rabies clinic in December, and plants flowers in Pella and Leopolis parks. It hosts Pella’s Haunted Park at Halloween, an event for family and friends. The club started a Green Acre Car Show the first weekend in August and adopts families at Christmas. Members take cards and gifts to nursing homes along with playing bingo there.
“Having the kids and their parents plan and work and reap the benefits for brat fries, bake sales, food stands and car shows is a major way for the 4-Hers to feel a sense of accomplishment,” Tober-Steinke said.
The members and leaders all donate a lot of their time to 4-H.
“Knowing the 4-H’ers grow up and take something away, like being able to count change back to customers at the food stand and learning to work together with others, makes it all worth it,” Bishop said.
The club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of the month at the Pella Town Hall. For information about 4-H, call the University of Wisconsin-Extension office at 715-526-6136.
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