Raising funds & enhancing lives

At a spaghetti dinner held to raise funds for the Fayette County Extension Foundation, volunteers of all ages were serving patrons.
That only makes sense because of the purpose of University of Illinois Extension.

“We have something for everyone,” said Rachelle Hollinshead, Extension director for Fayette, Effingham, Clay and Jasper counties.
Sunday’s spaghetti dinner at the Brownstown Elementary School cafeteria was one of two fundraisers for the Extension Foundation, which is charged with raising the local funds for Extension expenses in Fayette County.
The funds raised by the local foundation are matched by state funds at a percentage set by the state, Hollinshead said.
This year, as in recent years, the foundation has set a goal of $10,000. Prior to Sunday’s dinner, the foundation had raised close to $3,000.
The foundation’s monies, in conjunction provided by the state, are used to pay local salaries, office expenses, travel expenses and costs for programming offered, as well as to purchase educational supplies.
The foundation has until the end of May to hold its second fundraiser, though its choices are more restricted than they formerly were.
In the past, the foundation has held raffles for such things as a scooter and a hog, but Hollinshead said that state law now prohibits games of chance when children under the age of 18 are involved in the fundraising efforts.
“We’re trying to do different things, different ways to raise money,” she said.
One of those different things, Hollinshead said, is the “Gift of Grain” program.
Through that program, “some of the local farmers set aside some of their grain, which goes to the foundation. The foundation benefits from the sale of that grain.”
The foundation has again solicited donations through a mailing program, and funds are still coming in through that facet of the fundraising efforts.
One of the questions most often asked by those who are approached about supporting the foundation is where that money goes.
“People are concerned with their donation, does it stay in Fayette County?” Hollinshead said. “Yes, it does.”
The foundation board has 13 members, and currently serving on that board are Brian Willenborg, Larry Koberlein, Jackie Wright, Caryl Hickerson, Lynn Tappendorf, Mary Ann Rhoades, Anna Jean Rhodes, Kyra Willenborg, Kevin Payne, Marsha Wright, Tara Moreland, Joan Schaal and Jo Stine.
Though most people believe that the purpose of Extension is to provide 4-H to children in Fayette County, Hollinshead said the agency provides many things for many ages.
“For example, we recently hosted an Illinois State Water Survey and National Weather Service training for local people who wish to volunteer to measure local precipitation,” she said.
“We also hold certified crop adviser programs in order for local residents to gain needed credits, and we hold pesticide safety education that is needed for certification,” Hollinshead said.
It is also through Extension that groups of women throughout the county gather on a regular basis.
Home and Community Education provides an opportunity for women in the county to meet socially, but they are much more than that, regularly taking on community service projects that benefit various segments of the population.
Seven HCE units in the county have a total of 116 members.
Also offered by U of I Extension is the Master Gardener program. Locally, there are five active Master Gardeners and three interns.
That program has gained popularity through the certified Master Gardeners starting up and maintaining Vandalia’s Little Community Garden.
That garden located off of Edwards Street, between First and Second streets, in Vandalia, generates produce that goes to local food pantries.
The younger population is served by Extension through 4-H. Currently, there are approximately 170 children who are members of 4-H clubs.
Fayette County has four regular 4-H clubs, and two special interest clubs, for shooting and cooking.
Hollinshead said that 4-H has evolved over the years, that it offers much more than what is perceived by the general public.
“Back in the day, it was known for animal programs,” she said. “But that’s just a small part of what 4-H is all about.
“It’s really for all kids, it offers all sorts of projects, projects such as bicycle safety, photography, leadership, welding and wildlife. The list goes on and on,” Hollinshead said.
And it’s not just about raising that calf or completing that photography project with a goal of earning a blue ribbon or trophy at the summer 4-H Show.
The 4-H program, she said, teaches the youngsters a lot of life skills.
“It’s about having responsibility, being on time, working as a group, giving talks and demonstrations,” Hollinshead said.
“You learn how to talk to others, people you don’t know, and also such things as cooking and other skills that will help you in everyday living.
“There are just so many things you can get out of 4-H,” Hollinshead said.
She isn’t giving that information from promotional material for 4-H. She doesn’t have to.
For Hollinshead, as a former 4-H member, knows first-hand how the program can benefit youths for many years.
“It taught me things that led me to where I am today,” she said.
“One of the other things that’s important about 4-H is the adult-child relationships that are formed. These children are around adults who show that they care about them and want to help them,” Hollinshead said.
“Many times, we’ll hear a 4-H member say that their leader ‘is like a parent to me.’”
In days when the failure of the state to meet its financial obligations to school districts, which results in some programming cuts, 4-H may become even more useful for youth development, Hollinshead said.
“Schools do the best that they can do, but they have to cut back on some things,” she said. “We may actually be able to help fill some of those voids.
“One of the great things about 4-H is that it is for all kids. You may not be athletically inclined or your parents may not be able to afford a band instrument, but that doesn’t matter in 4-H.
“That’s because everyone is equal, and everyone can be themselves,” Hollinshead said.
“One of the things that we’ve talked about, based on what we’ve heard from the kids, is that 4-H is a safe place to be, a place where you can just be yourself.
“We’ve also had many 4-H members that they make lifelong friends … and not just with others in this county. Some of our 4-H members go on to regional, state and national contests, and they make friends from those contests that sometimes last a lifetime.
“We also have many couples who have met each other through 4-H, something that develops from a county fair romance or a state fair romance,” she said.
At Sunday’s spaghetti dinner, there were many young 4-H members setting out desserts or filling tea and lemonade cups, all the while with a smile on their faces.
“It’s just part of what this is all about,” Hollinshead said, referring to the youth learning about community service.
“We know that some kids ask 4-H members, ‘Why do you do that, you don’t get paid for it?’” Hollinshead said.
“The answer to that is that it’s about helping others. They learn that when you do good for others, good things happen to you,” she said.

Fayette County Extension and the Extension Foundation held a spaghetti dinner on Sunday in the Brownstown Elementary School on Sunday to raise funds for Extension expenses, including salaries, programming and educational supplies

Brandon McDonald and Tara Moreland serve spaghetti at the dinner held by Fayette County Extension and the Extension Foundation.

Three 4-H members get cups of lemonade and tea ready for those attending the dinner. From left to right are sisters Kiralyn and Kieara Hayes, and Cassie Payne