Lehigh County 4-H Livestock Club members wove a shawl that sold for $1,700.00, with proceeds being donated to two programs that aid in food security for children.

The funds were raised by the Lehigh County 4-H Livestock Club while engaging in the 4-H slogan, “Learn by Doing”. Working together, the members designed, created, and completed a woven wool shawl while learning about the process of weaving wool harvested from sheep. The group voted on the colors they wanted to use and designed a pattern for the shawl. Taking turns, the 4-H members worked on the loom to complete the woven garment. The construction of the shawl was done with the help and guidance of Roger and Nancy Bowman, a sheep farmer and retired 4-H Leader.

The completed shawl was then presented during the Lehigh County 4-H Round-Up Livestock Auction at the Great Allentown Fair on September 3, 2022, to be sold to the highest bidder. The winning bid of $1700.00 was won by a gentleman who wished to gift the shawl to his wife for their 50th anniversary.

Pictured: Lehigh County 4-H Livestock Club and Rodger & Nancy Bowman with completed woven wool shawl

The generous bid allowed 4-H members to divide the proceeds evenly between two food programs that benefit children, No Kid Hungry/ Share our Strength, and the Children’s Weekender Program by Christ Church at Lowhill Food Pantry.

Pictured: Jonas Geiger, Treasurer of the Lehigh County 4-H Livestock Club and Club Members presenting the $850.00 check to Marci Reinert, Director and Beverly Kistler, Coordinator of the Children’s Weekender Program, Christ Church at Lowhill Food Pantry

Pictured: Club Members learning about what is included in the Children’s Weekender Snack Box and how it helps their community

Jonas Geiger, Treasurer of the Lehigh County 4-H Livestock Club, said, “It is interesting how our club, by learning how to weave a shawl, was able to help the Lowhill Food Pantry take care of kids in the area.  It was a fun thing to learn, and I am happy our 4-H Club could help.”

Many educational and fun activities are offered by 4-H in Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, 4-H is coordinated by Penn State Extension through the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 4-H programs are open to all youths regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability. For more information about the above events or other 4-H activities, call the 4-H office in your county: Lehigh 610-391-9840 or LehighExt@psu.edu.

Administered through Penn State Extension, 4-H is a community of more than 6 million young people across America who are learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills. 4-H is found in all 67 Pennsylvania counties. County 4-H educators work with volunteers to deliver non-formal education opportunities to youth ages 5-18. To find your local program, visit the Penn State Extension website at https://extension.psu.edu/programs/4-h.

 

Ingrid Garcia
Administrative Assistant
Penn State Extension – Lehigh County

 

 

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