MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. — Orange County 4-H hosted a “Virtual Card Party” on the evening of Friday, April 3rd to bring 4-Hers and others together to continue their efforts in community service outreach.
Throughout this time of the COVID-19 pandemic people across America are encouraged to shelter in place, and to practice social distancing. This isolation lends itself to the need for connection and the Virtual Card Party did just that. It connected paper crafting friends from Middletown, NY, down to Rock Hill, SC. Twelve women and one teen participated via Zoom from 6-9 P.M. to handcraft 85 cards.
One of the participants said that “this was my first time using Zoom but I loved joining everyone this way” while another commented “I never would have thought of joining a virtual card party but this was fun and the cards go for a good cause.” The cards have been sent out to thank the medical staff at all Orange County Hospitals who use their “Heart for Greater Loyalty” during this pandemic.
Part of the 4-H Pledge is to “pledge my heart to greater loyalty” and the Orange County 4-H Team has carried it out through creating these expressions of gratitude for many individuals working on the frontline to help keep others healthy and safe. Cards were sent to Orange Regional Medical Center, Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital in Cornwall and Newburgh, NY, Bon Secours Community Hospital, Keller Army Community Hospital and Saint Anthony’s Community Hospital.
Orange County 4-H and Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County are continuing to find ways to connect people while also serving the community.
Cornell Cooperative Extension and its partnerships provide programs for Orange County residents on youth and family development; nutrition, health, and food safety; community and economic vitality; and agricultural sustainability through Cornell based research. Committed to Orange County, we design programs to meet local needs to enable people to improve their lives and communities. For more information call Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County at 845-344-1234 or visit our website at www.cceorangecounty.org.
–Jenna Ricker, Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange County