WESTFIELD-Kim Avery “loves” the 4-H organization and with her daughter Emma’s enthusiasm, the two have spearheaded the formation of the Clever Clovers 4-H Club of Westfield.
“I love the organization because of the life skills that kids can learn,” said Avery in her dining room on Sunday afternoon that was dominated by girls tossing flour, sugar and spices into huge bowls of peeled apples as well as rolling out dough they made from scratch.
The first community service project of the newly formed Clever Clovers 4-H Club of Westfield was making apple pies for the Westfield Soup Kitchen. Left to right are members Amelia Kelso, Emma Avery, 4-H leader Kim Avery, Rachael Cyrankowski, Mia Nagle, Lilly Winslow, and Abby Tremblay.
Earlier in the day, the six girls of the new club were with Avery and her husband Chris picking apples at Kosinski Farms in preparation for the pies that would be assembled and later donated to the Westfield Soup Kitchen.
“Kosinski Farms knew we were coming and donated a half bushel of apples for the pies,” said Avery, noting this was the girl’s first community service project.
The girls in the Clever Clovers are Amelia Kelso, 10, Emma Avery, 10, Rachael Cyrankowski, 14, Mia Nagle, 9, Lilly Winslow, 11, and Abby Tremblay, 10.
During a break that included munching on delectable apple cider doughnuts from Kosinski Farms, each girl said that community service and working with animals are top priorities for the fledgling club.
Kelso, who attends Southampton Road School, loves the outdoors and spending time on her grandmother’s farm so joining 4-H complements her lifestyle.
“I like helping the community and animals,” said Kelso, who also has a love of horses and especially her own mini stallion named “Midnight.”
For Emma Avery, 10, who also attends Southampton Road School, she has participated in 4-H programs in the past that involved horses including her own miniature pony named “Princess.”
“I wanted to start a club this year with my mom and then I asked my best friends to join me,” said Avery.
Cyrankowski, 14, who attends Westfield Technical Academy, joined the club to engage in more community service projects.
“Since I have been involved in 4-H longer than the other girls I will be able to guide them in understanding all that 4-H has to offer,” said Cyrankowski, noting she is also a member of the Kline View Korral 4-H Club in Southwick.
Nagle, 9, who attends Munger Hill School, is eager to find ways to give back to the community.
Clever Clovers 4-H Club of Westfield members hone their culinary skills.
“I want to help the community and help animals find good homes,” said Nagle. “We can also help to raise money for people without homes.”
Winslow, 11, who attends North Middle School, said as soon as Emma Avery mentioned “animals” she signed up.
“Emma told me about the club and when I heard the word ‘animal’ I wanted to join,” said Winslow, adding that caring about the environment is also a subject she would like to see the club address.
Tremblay, 10, who attends Southampton Road School, echoed those sentiments.
“My best friend Emma told me about 4-H and how we can learn about animals and help people out,” said Tremblay. “I want to learn new things and how I can help people here.”
As the girls were taking their turns introducing themselves, ideas were brewing including hosting bake sales to raise money for special projects and “cleaning up trash in the city.”
Parents interested in volunteering their time by starting their own 4-H club can contact the local 4-H educator in Amherst at (413) 545-2646 or visit www.mass4H.org.
Avery said there is minimal paperwork to complete when starting a new club and 4-H offers “kits” on a wide variety of subjects, ranging from food and nutrition, photography, public speaking and arts and crafts, to agricultural science and robotics.
“We have a great group of moms and dads and everyone can be involved in our club,” said Avery, noting that with everyone’s varied backgrounds, there are a wide variety of topics that can be explored.
“Today’s 4-H is so much more than animals,” said Avery. “If the club members would like to explore a particular project, 4-H has educational kits to assist leaders.”
