Oklahoma Home and Community members are involved in a wide variety of projects that enhance communities across the state. (Photo by Todd Johnson, Agricultural Communications Services)

Oklahoma Home and Community Education has big impact

Thursday, April 30, 2020

Whether it is raising funds to provide scholarships for 4-H Youth, planting trees to beautify the community or sewing thousands of cloth face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the Oklahoma Home and Community Education group are ready to help.

Established in 1935, the group is celebrating its service to Oklahoma families and communities May 3-9 during Oklahoma Home and Community Education Week.

“Oklahoma Home and Community Education continues to go beyond their call to duty in communities across the state. We celebrate them and appreciate all that they do,” said Jorge Atiles, associate dean in Oklahoma State University’s College of Education and Human Sciences, and who also serves as the state adviser to the organization.

To date, members have made more than 35,000 facial masks to help communities cope with the pandemic.

“They truly impact lives, and OSU Extension is grateful to have such a great community partner in OHCE,” he said. “They take our research-based information and put it to work along with the local county Extension educators.”

Leslye Owen, OHCE president, said with a membership of nearly 3,400 across the state, the group’s community service makes a significant difference.

“Our members have a hand in so many different community events and activities, including community beautification, tutoring students, supporting veterans, providing educational scholarships and supporting local 4-H’ers and other groups,” Owen said.

Oklahoma Home and Community Education’s ultimate mission is to educate its members to be well-informed and able to handle changes in their homes and communities. Through its close relationship with OSU Extension, members bring that vision into reality by sharing research-based information on a wide variety of topics, including health, family and finances.

“We also play a vital role in communities because, especially in the smaller towns, there may not be very many resources available,” Owen said. “Oklahoma Home and Community Education is able to open up more resources and educational opportunities that can help many of our state’s families. It’s vital that we adapt to the changing world; we must stay relevant for our audience.”

Last year, the group contributed more than $88,000 in scholarships funds to 4-H’ers and other students across the state. Members also reached more than 18,000 Oklahomans through educational programming, philanthropic projects and other activities. They provided $21,000 in support to local community organizations and projects.

Many of their contributions are priceless: In March and April, members put in more than 8,750 hours making masks at about 15 minutes each. Groups around the state also are involved in supporting military personnel by sending care packages to troops. Others share their sewing talents and create Quilts of Valor that are given to local veterans. The organization helps county events such as the Okfuskee County Fair, Farm to You educational exhibit and Make it With Wool Contest.

Jan Maples, Okfuskee County family and consumer sciences Extension educator, serves as the adviser for the OHCE group in her county.

“My members have been busy sewing masks the last few weeks, but they also do other projects,” Maples said. “Past service projects have included sewing comfort pillows for post-surgery mastectomy patients, laundry bags requested by agencies and teddy bears for children getting immunizations.

“I’m thankful that I chose to be an Extension educator because of the wonderful, strong and resilient role models I had the advantage of knowing and interacting with in my mother’s home demonstration club,” she said.

Owen also said joining Oklahoma Home and Community Education changed her life 19 years ago.

“I’m so proud of what OHCE is doing in our state. If you’re looking for a place to meet people with similar interests and have a desire to help others, Oklahoma Home and Community Education might just be what you’re looking for.”

More information about OHCE is available on the organization’s website.

MEDIA CONTACT: Trisha Gedon | Agricultural Communications Services | 405-744-3625 | trisha.gedon@okstate.edu