The true spirit of the season is giving and doing for others with no expectation of return. The simple act of kindness can work magic on a person’s heart. Gifts are not always in the form of an item but more so in the love that it takes to make or volunteer to do something. Being oriented in service learning, this season UT Extension Union County groups are in a giving spirit.

Each month the Union County 4-H Club holds a service learning project. In November, members were busy creating hand-crafted Christmas cards for the American Red Cross Holidays for Heroes program. Collaboratively, in-school and after school 4-H groups created more than five hundred beautifully fashioned cards to thank and recognize members of the military and veterans living in our communities. These cards will be distributed by the local Red Cross office.

Annually, local Family and Consumer Education members join forces to sew for donation. On November 5th, nine FCE ladies met to sew flannel baby blankets for the NICU at Children’s Hospital. Fifteen blankets were completed to be delivered.

On November 1st and 8th, volunteer Debby Morgan led a group of 4-Her's in sewing for the Samaritan’s Purse. Smoky Mountain 4-H members Joannah Kadron, Meradeth Whitley, and Gabby Hankins drug out the sewing machines creating cinch bags, stockings, coin purses, and more to be included in Operation Christmas Child boxes.

The Smoky Mountain 4-H Club worked diligently to collect donations and put together boxes for the area Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. Through successful leadership, the group filled twenty-five boxes. The shoe boxes were delivered with prepaid mailing labels to Milan Baptist Church on November 14th. With the labels provided, members can track which country the packages are delivered to. The club is anxiously awaiting packing even more boxes next year.

November 15th, the Companion Animal Project Group, led by Dr. Shannon Wilson, met and constructed eight feral cat houses. These homes will be donated to the Union County Humane Society for feral cat housing in the area. They are made from thick styrofoam boxes, lined and sealed for a warmer, drier environment. Members worked hard on this project. The group, open to sixth through twelfth graders, meets monthly on the third Thursday and volunteers on the fourth Saturday with teen leaders providing lessons at elementary schools in between.

Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give this season and always. If you are looking for an organization to work with in donating, volunteering, or leading a group, the Extension office is an open door to the community. Contact 865-992-8038 or ashley.mike@utk.edu.