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Driftwood Feeders celebrating century of leadership Wednesday
McCOOK, Neb. - Celebrating 100 years in 2021, the Driftwood Feeders 4-H Club has helped multiple generations of kids develop skills, pursue passions, and become leaders in the community and beyond.
The club will be hosting a dedication ceremony Wednesday at 5 p.m. in the 4-H Building at the Red Willow County Fairgrounds. Several past members and /or leaders will be present, including Ron Allen, Jerda Thompson Vickers, and Doris Wilcox Ruppert. A display and video which was researched and created by members under the chairmanship of Addyson Uerling will portray the history of the club.
The club currently has members ranging in age from 8 to 18; as well as youngsters aged 5 to 7 who participate as Clover Kids. Members pursue a wide range of topics that interest them. From livestock, chickens, dogs, cooking, sewing, rockets; the possibilities are unlimited.
They also learn about community service and working together as a group for the betterment of everyone. A recent community service project was spearheaded by members Grady Riemenschneider and Cadde Beeby. The two young men wanted to see flags (American and 4-H) installed in the Alice Building; as well as a 4-H flag installed in the Kiplinger Arena.
Before the start of many 4-H events, the group recites the Pledge of Allegiance and the 4-H Pledge. Grady and Cadde recognized that there was not a flag to address in the Alice Building, so they pitched the idea of raising funds for the purchase to the members. After gaining member approval, the young men made a presentation to the Red Willow County Fair Board asking for permission. The flags were installed recently, just in time for the annual 4-H Dog Show in the Alice Building.
The club knows how to get things done. In 2019, the club organized a flood relief effort to help farmers and 4-Her’s in Verdigre, Nebraska. With the generous help of the community, the club was able to deliver two semi-truck trailers to the area full of feed and supplies to assist the ag community devasted by the flooding. Members also made the trip to provide the manpower to unload the trailers. One trailer in particular contained feed, fencing supplies, and materials needed by 4-Hers in northeast Nebraska.
The Red Willow County Fair, Nebraska State Fair and Aksarben are highlights of the year for members, but those events are not possible without months of preparation. Meetings start in January of each year and continue through August under the supervision of adult leaders Pam Gaston, Jane Dewey, Joyce Anderson, Ken Carriker, and Greg Gaston.
During the dedication ceremony Wednesday, current Driftwood Feeders 4-Her’s will be wearing specially designed shirts featuring the tagline, “100 years strong”. The theme for all 4-H activities this year is “I Belong”, and Driftwood Feeders members point out that “we all belong” to the tradition of Driftwood Feeders 4-H in Red Willow County. With the support of the entire area, the impact the club has made in the county over the past 100 years is reflected in the lives of many generations of members.