Publications
Ideas That Work
4-H Volunteer Leaders Series
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Successful Program Ideas
Numerous successful community service projects have been conducted throughout
the country with the help of grant funds. These funds offer "seed money" for the
programs with additional resources coming from the local community. Listed below
are examples of some of these projects. These ideas are excellent community
service projects whether or not grant funds are available to assist with them.
Teach senior citizens basic computer skills.
Conduct bicycle safety class.
Restore three historic cemeteries and help plan for continued maintenance.
Devise and present an electronic game to teach awareness of government and
citizenship including data on legislation, elections, history, geographical
aspects, local and state governments, community affairs and facts about
Washington, D.C.
Assist with an educational program to motivate high school seniors not only
to register but also to vote and become better informed voters.
Help the elderly by reading, writing letters, running errands and visiting
with them.
Conduct "Operation Greenthumb II" - Setting up and furnishing the equipment
and supplies for a solar-heated greenhouse.
Develop a playground area for small children and provide appropriate
equipment within an existing park now maintained in part by 4-H members.
Conduct a survey of the need for parking spaces, signs and access ramps for
the handicapped and help construct needed ramps, wall railings and walkways.
Paint the local fire house and buy a fire alarm for the community.
Construct and install playground equipment made of logs at the park.
Provide for every household in their county, which is rural with many unmarked
secondary roads, a simple means for giving concise directions for reaching their
homes in case of emergency. The club will print and distribute stickers to be
attached to residents' telephones where information can be available instantly.
Plan, clear, plant and maintain an arboretum with a variety of trees, shrubs
and nature trails. The completed project will serve as a public education and
recreation facility.
Renovate and improve facilities of a public park by adding play equipment for
small children, constructing barbeque pits, planting shrubs, repairing existing
equipment and providing signage.
Help plan and construct an access ramp for use by elderly and handicapped
persons at a community church providing its facilities to nonprofit groups.
Lay out and make signs for a community bike path.
Clean up a community recreation area, establish nature trails and provide
permanent trash cans and picnic tables.
Make specially designed puppets for use by children with motor and visual
handicaps and prepare and serve a turkey dinner to senior citizens.
Assist the Extension Homemakers Council in remodeling a house for use as
informal educational center. The 4-H'ers will redecorate the playroom and fence
and equip the backyard with playground equipment.
Sponsor a life-saving class and assist with transportation costs for a CPR
course.
Provide the necessary resources for the elderly in their community to complete
a personal medical data record for use in case of emergency illness or
hospitalization.
Conduct a 4-H Career Exploration Program with site visits to various local
businesses and community organizations.
Prepare a brochure depicting life in the county during the 1850's and conduct
guided tours of an historic tavern.
Provide bird feeder stations, flower beds and lawn furniture for the county
medical care facility for the elderly.
Construct a school bus shelter.
Conduct an energy conservation project involving weather stripping doors and
caulking or using plastic covers on windows of homes throughout the community.
Work with handicapped youth in the community, including how to adapt and make
clothing for handicapped youth and involve them in 4-H projects.
Renovate and preserve a railway depot.
Install road signs for newly named roads in isolated areas.
Landscape and maintain a physical fitness area including a number of exercise
stops and a jogging path.
Set up and equip a school emergency first aid room.
Provide interior floor coverings and furnishings for a 4-H dormitory newly
completed at the county fairgrounds.
Install a sheltered picnic table and swingset in the community park.
Organize and conduct a food drive.
Collect coats for children.
| Author: |
Darlene Z. Baker, Ph.D., Ph.D., State Leader -
4-H Youth Development |
DR. DARLENE Z. BAKER is state leader - 4-H youth development,
Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arkansas, Little Rock.
4HCL9-PD-10-02RV
|
