Update: Local 4-H Club Wins National Contest

Club recognized for community service

Written by Holly Dunbar
hdunbar@verizon.net
Cell (908) 304-3734

Just Kidding, a Somerset County 4-H goat club, will be honored for their community service by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) at their upcoming annual meeting in Washington, D.C. The club placed first in the nation in the DAR’s Junior American Citizens contest.

“It was amazing news to learn that the club had won,” said Beth Kavanaugh, co-leader of the club with Nicole Perry. “It shows that 4-H provides members with the tools for success.” The club was aided by Marion McGlynn, an Operation Paperback and 4-H volunteer.

With categories in art, literature and community service, the DAR presents awards for the Junior American Citizens contest on the local, state and national level. The theme of this year’s contest focused on the 100th Anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the theme, “Duty, Honor, and Patriotism.”

The members of Just Kidding decided to do something for our nation’s military and collected books that were shipped via Operation Paperback to military bases and active service members, and to veterans in need. The club was sponsored in the contest by the Elizabeth Snyder-Continental Chapter DAR based in Green Brook.

“We are very proud of Just Kidding,” said Holly Jean Dunbar, New Jersey DAR/4-H liaison and a 4-H alumna. “These nine 4-H members were able to make a difference and brighten the day for many of our military and veterans, sending the message that others care. And, they were able to accomplish this during challenging times with the pandemic and COVID restrictions.”

A total of 192 books were collected by the club, including 82 children’s books that were sent to Fort Wainright, Alaska, to help create a library for military families on the base. Other recipients included an Armed Forces base in Europe, the Coast Guard in San Diego and a therapy group for veterans in Los Angeles.

The club’s contest entry describing their project will be on display at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., June 29 to July 3. Members of Just Kidding will be presented with their awards at the Somerset County 4-H Fair in August.

The DAR is a nonprofit service organization open to women 18 and over who can trace their descent from a man or woman who aided the cause of American independence. For more than a century, the DAR has promoted historical preservation, education, and patriotic endeavor. Learn more at DAR.org.

The 4-H Youth Development Program uses a learn-by-doing approach to enable youth to develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need to become competent, caring and contributing citizens of the world. 4‑H programs are open to all boys and girls in grades K–13 (one year out of high school) on an age-appropriate basis. To learn more about Somerset County 4-H, visit 4HisTops.org.