WAYMART, PA — While the new 4-H year only started on October 1, 2025, our club has been hard at work doing all we can to support our local community.  We kicked off our 2025-2026 4-H year by collecting boxed and canned goods for the Scranton Friends of the Poor to help families in need as we enter the winter months. 

Times are tough for many, and the winter months can make it more difficult to work and get out and get food, so our goal was to help make things a little easier for some.  We donated all we could before Thanksgiving, and we hope to support the organization again later in the year.   

Our club members know just how lucky we are, and that the holidays are a special time to spend with friends and family.  We really wanted to try and help spread joy to others during this time of year, so in November we helped Canaan Bible Chapel support the mission of Operation Christmas Child right here in our area.  We used club funds to buy small toys, personal care items, writing supplies, books and games to pack specially designed shoe boxes for children to open during the holidays.  We had a fun time choosing items for the boxes and then carefully packing them, wondering who might get them and what might be their favorite item. 

In December, our club donated boxed and canned goods for holiday meal baskets that were distributed to local families by the Knights of Columbus Council #7403.  This is something we have done for a few years now, and it is a really good feeling to know that we can help give families a holiday meal just like the ones we eat.  

We also made holiday ornaments for the residents of Wayne Woodlands Manor, as we have done in the past.  It is always nice to see how appreciative the residents are, especially those who may not be able to be with friends or family this time of year.  

Our goal is to do at least three more community service projects throughout the year, so if anyone has any suggestions or is in need of help, please reach out to us at waymarthorizons4h@gmail.com to see if we can help.