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Next Generation 4-H gives back to hospice patients
next gen tie blankets 2
In front, from left, Brandon Straws, Bella Johnson and AJ Johnson. Second row, from left, Ellie Andrews, Josie Hanson, Ayvah King, Addi Andrews and Leilah King. Back row, from left, Jackie Nusbaum, Chad Mansfield, Alex Nusbaum, Katie Nusbaum, Bella Andrews, Brooke Hanson and Abbi Andrews all show off some of the tie blankets that were made to donate.

JUDA — The Next Generation 4-H Club of Juda has tried to live up to the definition of generosity by committing random acts of kindness for others in one form or another. 

For the past four years, the club has focused on tying fleece blankets and knitting baby stocking caps to demonstrate to the youth how a single act of generosity impacts the communities we live, work and play in.

On Dec. 31, the club presented 50 fleece blankets and 100 knitted baby stocking caps to Dawn Meier, head of volunteer services for SSM Health Monroe Clinic and Hospital, for the hospital and hospice home. This year, the club went one step further, expanding community reach by donating 50 baby stocking caps for the family care units at Janesville Mercy and Beloit Memorial Hospitals in Rock County. 

Each year a family from the club donates their time to cut the fleece for tying and then the club, as a whole, spends time during the October and November club meetings to tie each of the blankets. The caps are knitted from October to December by the club’s general leader, Deb Myers. In all, club members spend approximately 600 hours on the act of generosity. The funds used to purchase fleece and yarn for donations come from the fundraisers the club holds throughout the year.