Niwot Nifties give back

4-H Club gives to Eagle Place

The Niwot Nifties 4-H Club gave an Easter surprise to residents at Eagle Place.

It wasn’t just a one-time gift; this is something that the club does every month for the residents at the county-owned housing unit for people with a fixed-income.

New co-leaders Cindy Shepherd and Mary Klingbeil said that they do projects for the residents as part of their community service requirements, as the club uses their facility for monthly meetings.

“We really appreciate those residents,” Klingbeil said. “These projects are a ‘thank you’ to them and the county for letting us use the meeting room.”

For Easter, they dyed eggs and made baskets with candy and other goodies. They’ll be leaving potted plants for May Day next month. For Christmas they go all out with bags of treats and gift cards.

Klingbeil said that this is something started by 12-year club leader Marsha Slepicka.

“These are all traditions that our previous leader started — ways for our club to do community service,” Klingbeil said. “We’re carrying on in Marsha Slepicka’s tradition.”

Formed in 1924, Klingbeil said that the Niwot Nifties are the oldest 4-H club that has been continuously running in Boulder County.

The impact has affected both the youth involved and the surrounding communities over the years.

“We do other community service,” Klingbeil said. “In Longmont, we have adopted a nursing home, Peak Care Center. We go Christmas caroling there. We bring baskets there for Easter too.”

The club meets monthly during the school year as well as for the community service projects.

But summer is coming, and that means fair time in August.

“Summer is really when they focus on getting ready for the fair,” Klingbeil said. “That’s really the culmination of all of their work.”

The club currently has 23 members, all working toward their goals for this year.

“What I love about 4-H is that no matter what project you choose - photography, archery, sewing, chickens or rabbits, whatever it is,” Klingbeil said, “with every single project the kids learn about keeping records, analyzing finances….They learn leadership and public speaking.

“All of these skills I feel like will make their high school and college years easier. They have an opportunity to get better and better every year. I think it’s great because they’re really important skills, and 4-H lets you choose what you want to do.”

Parents also attend every meeting, which helps the members along with their projects.

“Marsha kind of made that a rule of our club,” Klingbeil said. “We’re walking in her footsteps, and we appreciate the parents’ support.”

“As a parent and a leader now, I see the opportunity and the growth that kids can make through 4-H. I’m excited my kids found this here in Niwot.”

There are 25 4-H clubs in Boulder County. To contact one, call the Extension Office at 303-678-6238 or visit http://www.boulder.extension.colostate.edu/4h.