Two 4-H students are asking for support for local heroes.
Show Me 4-H members Reagan Cain and Preston McMillian gave a presentation looking for community assistance with a large task. The two visited the California Area Chamber of Commerce on March 9 to ask for support for this year's Day of Service event honoring local heroes.
"We began planning this event in January and have a lot of members representing six different 4-H clubs," Cain said. "We have for the past two years they received grant monies to assist with the advertising and the costs. This year, the grant is not available but our committee decided to continue hosting this event because we felt that is an important way to give back to our community."
Cain said the ceremony will be held to recognize the people in the community who may not receive recognition for their work. This year Moniteau County 4-H clubs will be honoring emergency personnel, health care workers, veterans and active military members. However, this year the 4-H clubs will be adding one more vocation onto this list: teachers.
"Teachers we feel have an impact on everyone and their honor and dedication to the betterment of the future of our country," Cain said. "They have taken time out of their lives to make a difference in others' lives. And we are proud to include them in our honorees. From veterans who have sacrificed their freedoms to teachers who have the patience to build the future of our lives, we have this ceremony to pay tribute to them. We believe that this many will come to hear our appreciation to these local heroes and listen to the guest speakers talk about their experiences."
For 2023, the estimated cost for the ceremony is set around $1,500 and will be hosted 11 a.m Sept. 10 at Latham Memorial Family Park. The Chamber ultimately decided to donate $300 to the 4-H Day of Service committee for the event.
Chamber Executive Secretary Sandra Ratcliff reported the total amount collected for the organization's scholarship fund during its annual dinner meeting WAs $9,994.59.
Member Norris Gerhart suggested the organization add an annual budget committee to the Chamber. Fellow members approved the motion with Gerhart acting as the committee's chairperson.
The Chamber discussed adding an additional event to the Ozark Ham and Turkey Festival for attendees. The group empowered member Tyler Clenin to look into the project for the festival's committee. Although different options for the event, such as a rodeo or a tractor pull, were discussed, none have been chosen at this time.