A force for good: Homemakers Week means more than keeping house

Published 9:02 am Friday, October 7, 2016

By ALETHEA PRICE
Boyle County Extension Office
When you hear the word “homemaker” you immediately think of a certain set of words. Housewife, cook, mother and maid could be used to describe a homemaker but they are much more than that. Homemakers are strong leaders, willing volunteers, skilled educators, family and friends. They are more than just a word, they are a force for good.
Extension Homemakers is a volunteer organization that works with the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service to help improve the quality of life for families and Kentucky communities through leadership development, service and education. The week recognizes and celebrates their contributions to their community and the state during the past year.
Extension Homemakers are active members of their communities, contributing more than 220,000 hours of volunteer service for extension-sponsored activities and more than 322,000 hours of service for community projects.
Throughout Kentucky, Extension Homemakers have provided relief and support when it is needed most. When a flood in 2015 devastated the Flat Gap area of Johnson County, members of the Red Bush Homemakers Cub worked with its Community Center to provide assistance to the more than 500 flood victims, preparing and serving meals to about 300 people every day for two weeks. They collected and distributed food, clothing and cleaning supplies to victims.
Meade County Extension Homemakers worked to educate the public about food insecurity in their community. Through a soup supper and cake auction, they raised more than $2,100 and collected hundreds of pounds of food and other items to help fellow Meade Countians in need.
Boyle County Homemakers highly value family, friendship and fun. Each year they participate in different social events such as the Living Well Seminar and the County Annual Meeting providing fun opportunities for fellowship. They also attend educational programs each month that address universal topics such as food, health, money management, and family life. Homemakers are always learning new skills and sharing them with others.
Heritage skills such as knitting, sewing, and quilt making barely scratch the surface of what Homemakers are capable of. They compete in annual cultural arts contests with many members winning blue ribbons at the state level. They also enter handmade items in Floral Hall in the County Fair. What a wealth of talent there is in this county. One way they put those talents to use by giving back. They make pillowcase dresses for Haiti, blankets for Camp Horsin’ Around, and lap quilts for the hospital.
Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association Week is Oct. 9-15, and the state’s more than 1,000 clubs are celebrating. Here’s a complete list of events you can attend to join in the celebration, all held at the Boyle County Extension Office, 99 Corporate Drive, Danville. Events are free of charge unless otherwise indicated:
• 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10 —  6 p.m. Tasting Party and Silent Auction
• 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11 —   Needlework Social
• 10 a.m and noon Tuesday, Oct. 11 —  Pillowcase Workshop (Supplies needed: 2/3 yard of printed fabric for the body of the pillowcase, 1/3 yard solid or coordinated print for the accent, 2-inch wide strip of contrasting printed fabric, scissors and a sewing machine. If you don’t have a sewing machine, one will be provided. Call (859) 236-4484 to sign up.
• 7-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13 — Starry Night Studio: Hummingbird, step-by-step painting studio led by instructor, hosted by Community Arts Center (at Extension Office). Cost is $25; register online at communityartscenter.net/events/starry-night-studio.
• 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14— Game Night; bring your favorite board game to share.

KEHAwelcomes members no matter what their age, race, color, national origin, creed, marital status or sex. The program is of interest to all income levels. Any full or part-time home-maker, male or female, rural or urban, teenager or senior citizen and in-between, may belong to KEHA. The Boyle County Homemakers consist of five clubs that meet each month. Any and everyone is welcome to join. If you are interested in learning more about this exciting organization please feel free to attend any of the previously listed events for Homemaker’s Week, especially the Tasting Party and Silent Auction 6 p.m. Oct.10 at the Boyle County Extension Office. If you have any questions please call (859) 236-4484 for more information.

Alethea Price is County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences with the Boyle County Extension Office.

 

 

Photo contributed  Homemakers Debra Caldwell and Anna Carpenter enjoy Game Night.

Photo contributed
Homemakers Debra Caldwell and Anna Carpenter enjoy Game Night.