The Oklahoma Home & Community Education organization, a 501(c)3 entity was established back in 1935 to provide education to women, particularly those on the farm in the areas of child development, finances and health. Back in those days most homes did not have indoor plumbing nor refrigerated units to keep food safe year round. Canning was incredibly important to survive the winters. Also drapes were made for the homes and quilts to keep warm.
The name has changed several times initially known as Home Demonstration Council with Home Demonstration members. Then in 2000, this group became Oklahoma Home & Community Education. The mission of this organization has remained the same over the past 80-plus years. The theme for the newly named organization was solidified across the state as “Working Together to Build Better Communities through Education with Leadership and Service.”
Each of the 77 counties of Oklahoma has an OHCE presence.
At the county level, groups have created a cemetery index book by county; made cool ties for military while serving in heated conditions in Iraq; improved the health of single individuals by “drive by fruiting” — delivering a single serving of fruits/vegetables and raising young readers by reading to school age children. These are just a few of this organization’s state/county projects.
The Nowata County OHCE may be small but they are mighty and powerful. Monies are raised to facilitate community service in Nowata County. This past year the county organized several member workshops to gain new members; held several educational programs on women and gun safety; “Up with Trees” and learned more about the Trinity Church Food Bank in Nowata by donating canned goods and money to support this organization. A special program on Caring for You, Caring for Me presented by Grand Gateway was held sponsored by OHCE. They also assisted with several 4-H sewing and cooking workshops this past summer. A new endeavor this year was to have a clothing drive right before school started. There was a great turnout and plans are to partner with a group that provides school supplies in 2018.
Nowata County is blessed to have this group of folks do so much for this community. To further support their endeavors, a chicken and noodle fundraiser dinner is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Nowata County Fairgrounds. In addition to the main entrée of chicken and noodles, a roll, choice of vegetable and a slice from a variety of fruit and/or cream pies and a drink will be available for lunch for $8. No reservations are necessary. This is just a few days before Valentine’s Day. Bring your special someone and/or you entire family for a great home-cooked meal!
Please come to support the Nowata County OHCE organization as they continue to do community service projects that benefit the people of Nowata county! Look forward to seeing you there!
Diabetes management class begins Tuesday
Was your New Year’s resolution to get better control of your diabetes? It’s not too late if you haven’t started. Here is an opportunity to learn about diabetes management through healthy food portions with taste good foods that you sample in the four-week LEAD — Live well, Eat well and be Active with Diabetes — class beginning Tuesday and continuing for three more weeks every Tuesday evening beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Adams Boulevard Church of Christ in their dining room. The cost for the materials and the food tasting is $30 for the entire course. Registrations will be taken through Friday.
For questions about the course, contact Gale Mills at 918-534-2216 or email gale.mills@okstate.edu. Join us so you can learn how to take better control of your life and health!