Hands-On Kindness: 4-H Senior Council Friendship Bracelet Project
Hands-On Kindness: 4-H Senior Council Friendship Bracelet Project
Written by Melissa Bright, 4-H Agent
During the season of giving, Somerset County 4-H Senior Council members came together for a heartfelt, hands-on service project that combined creativity, teamwork, and compassion. With the goal of spreading joy to children facing medical challenges, the council created 124 friendship bracelet kits to donate to St. Peter’s Hospital, offering patients a small but meaningful source of comfort and encouragement during the holidays.
From Idea to Impact
The project began at a Senior Council meeting, where members brainstormed ways to give back to the community in a meaningful and inclusive way. After thoughtful discussion, the council voted to move forward with the friendship bracelet project because it closely aligned with the core 4-H values of service, leadership, and compassion. Members were especially drawn to a project that was hands-on, collaborative, and had a direct impact on children in need—particularly during the holiday season.
Working Together to Give Back
Senior Council members, along with other 4-H club members, assembled the bracelet kits during 4-H Gives Thanks and additional club meetings. This approach allowed many youth to participate, share ideas, and take ownership of the project. Each kit included bracelet string, beads, packaging, and simple instructions, making it easy for recipients to create their own bracelets and express creativity while they healed.
Purpose with a Heart
The primary goal of the project was to bring comfort, encouragement, and joy to children receiving care at St. Peter’s Hospital. At the same time, Senior Council members strengthened their own leadership and civic engagement skills by planning, organizing, and completing a community service initiative together. The project encouraged teamwork, decision-making, and reflection—key components of positive youth development through 4-H.
Planning for Success
To ensure the project stayed on track, the council followed a clear timeline:
Proposal and approval at a Senior Council meeting
Identification and organization of supplies
Assembly of kits during multiple meetings and events
Progress tracking to meet the goal number
Final delivery of all 124 kits to St. Peter’s Hospital
By coordinating resources efficiently and using a mix of existing supplies and member contributions, the council completed the project without significant additional cost while maximizing its impact.
Measurable Impact and Recognition
The success of the project was evident in both tangible and meaningful ways. Tangibly, 124 friendship bracelet kits were completed and donated to St. Peter’s Hospital. Qualitatively, the project fostered strong participation, collaboration, and enthusiasm among members. Positive feedback and gratitude from hospital staff further highlighted the value of the donation and the difference it made for patients.
In recognition of its impact and youth leadership, this project earned First Place at the local level in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Junior American Citizens Contest for the Community Service Group Entry category. This honor reflects the dedication, creativity, and civic responsibility demonstrated by Somerset County 4-H Senior Council members.
A Lasting Lesson
This friendship bracelet project demonstrated the power of youth-led service. Through creativity, cooperation, and compassion, Somerset County 4-H Senior Council members showed that even small acts of kindness can have a big impact bringing smiles to children in need while strengthening leadership skills and a lifelong commitment to community service.