The Osceola County Home and Community Education clubs have been in Osceola County since the early 1920's — and hope to be around for another century or so.
Three clubs in Osceola County continue to meet monthly to work to provide scholarships for local students, provide service projects to those in the community and to educate others on how to better provide for their families and communities.
In the name of growing their brand and membership, they will hold a fun event on Saturday, including lunch and bingo, at 11:30 a.m. at the OHP offices. Call 407-973-4058 to reserve a spot, meet the members and learn more about becoming a part of this community group working to help those in need, whether to further their studies in college or just improve everyday lives.
(More on event here: https://www.aroundosceola.com/things-do/home-community-education-clubs-card-bingo-march-25)
These 100 percent volunteer groups have evolved from the original canning clubs who taught others to make mattresses for their families during war times, and how to grow foods to feed their families to the groups they are today.
In the mid 1980's, active member Leona J. Young gave the group funds to provide scholarships to those attending college in the areas of then-Home Economics and Elementary Education. Since that time, the Osceola Home and Community Education members have provided over 200 scholarships valued at more than $100,000 to local graduates. The group has also endowed scholarships with Valencia Community College and the Osceola Foundation for Education helping to extend their outreach for these efforts. Leona J. Young also asked that the Osceola County Home and Community Education clubs support non-profit community groups within Osceola County. To date, they have supported over 100 local groups throughout the county with funds exceeding $50,000.
Service projects include collecting aluminum pop tops for the Ronald McDonald house in Lake Nona to help support the parents of children who are hospitalized. The members also make “Ouch Dolls” for the Osceola County Health Department, to give a child upset about receiving immunizations to hold and take home.
DIscarded eyeglasses are collected for the Lions Clubs International to assists efforts to provide glasses to those around the globe. Members have also recently helped sew skirts and dresses for young women in Haiti for a project to prevent rape. During the Osceola County Fair the group sponsors baked goods concessions presented by the 4-H youth for competition.
Over the years many other service projects have been completed, and next year others may evolve to meet needs of Osceola County’s changing community.
Join the Osceola County Home and Community Education clubs on Saturday for some fun and to find out how to give back to the community.
