Home and Community Education is celebrating 75 years in the state of Wisconsin this year and recognizing members who have been part of it for 55 or more years. In Shawano County, 15 members were honored.
“I think our county had the most,” said Helen Raddant, local HCE president.
Each member was presented with a certificate and a charm. Since none of the members from Shawano County attended the state convention in September in Stevens Point, some of them received their awards at the group’s annual fall meeting at the courthouse.
HCE provides educational programs about current and future social, economic, and environmental needs, and helps develop leadership and decision-making skills.
“A lot of people don’t know we’re out there,” Raddant said.
Linda Olson, University of Wisconsin-Extension family living educator, is the adviser. Topics are presented at the courthouse for members, who then take the information back to their clubs for the monthly meetings.
“It’s things for your home, and you learn about the community,” Raddant said. “I think it’s very informational.”
Members can belong to any of the 10 clubs in the county or as individuals.
Lillian Mehlhorn has been a member for 73 years, longer than anyone else locally.
Marge Ainsworth, Bonduel, has been a member for 63 years — as long as she has been married.
“I love it,” she said, adding HCE is still relevant because now members learn about things such as computers, health and exercise.
In the county project, HCE makes infant carrier covers and sleep sacks for the obstetrics department at ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano. Members also donate to other charitable organizations in the county, such as the area food pantries where they help with not only food, but also items that aren’t normally donated.
“We provide a lot of personal need items,” Raddant said.
A popular HCE activity is the Wisconsin Bookworm Program, in which members go to area pre-schools to read to the children. That is followed by an activity, and each child gets a book.
HCE earns funds at the Red Barn at Charlie’s County Market and bake sales at the Shawano Farmers Market.
Each year HCE gives a scholarship from its silent auction at the spring event.
Joyce Souba, Shawano, from the Learn-A-Lot Club, has been a member for 56 years. She has suggested new ideas and been very active helping with various projects.
“My biggest reason for belonging was all the things I learned,” she said.
The Learn-A-Lot Club makes greeting cards for the veterans at Wisconsin Veterans Home at King by repurposing old cards. The last time members delivered the cards, they were told that their card is the only one a veteran gets on his birthday. Recently, they finished 750 cards.
HCE is highly recommended by Raddant, who was in a club for 25 years and has been an individual member for 10 years.
“I enjoy it,” she said. “We’re always learning something.”
For information or to donate cards, call the extension office at 715-526-6136.
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