By Dixie Terry
The Johnson County Home and Community Education (HCE) Board held its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 9 a.m. at the University of Illinois Extension Building in Vienna.
Present were: President Natalie Dougherty, Faye Mize, Rosemary Rouse, Betty Yandell, Ann Stachowiak, Phyllis Webb, Cara Webb, Dixie Terry and Ann Ford.
The meeting was called to order by President Dougherty.
Reports were heard from 1st Vice President Rosemary Rouse. Secretary Ann Ford read the minutes from January, which were approved for recording. Treasurer Betty Yandell provided the financial report, which was also approved for recording and auditing.
Family Living Chair Phyllis Webb presented the “love story” of past President Andrew and Rachel Jackson.
Community Outreach Chair Cara Webb announced that the next blood drive of the American Red Cross will be on Monday, March 20, noon to 6 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church.
Cultural Enrichment Chair Dixie Terry reported that the February copy of events will be emailed to members.
International Chair Ann Stachowiak reported that she is seeking someone who has traveled or lived in Egypt, for a speaker for International Night.
Faye Mize, Travel and Scholarship chair, provided an update on the planned coach trips to Charleston and Savannah.
Plans were finalized for the Feb. 11 chili supper to be held at GHS prior to the Vienna/Goreville basketball game. HCE members will provide desserts and volunteer their time at the event, which will serve as a fundraiser for HCE community projects.
Plans were also begun for the Mothers’ Day Luncheon, a fundraiser to be held on Saturday, May 6, at the Tunnel Hill Community of Christ Church.
A thank-you note was received from Barb Watkins, coordinator of the Johnson County Blessings in a Backpack, for the HCE donation.
The HCE State Convention will be held in Effingham on March 12-14, with Phyllis Webb and Natalie Dougherty to attend.
President Dougherty announced that our county’s total hours received from nineteen volunteers included 911 1/2 HCE hours and 4,804 1/2 hour for other projects, for a total of 5,716 volunteer hours from county HCE members in 2022.
The Longview Unit will meet on Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. at the Extension Building. The Ozark Unit will meet at 9 a.m. on Feb. 21, also at the Extension Building. The Tunnel Hill Unit will meet on Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Tunnel Hill Community of Christ Church.
New members are welcomed to join either of the county units. For more information, call Natalie Dougherty at 314-803-4881 or Kim Collins at 618-658-3115.
