By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Gov. Mike DeWine gave a shout-out to Wood County 4-H clubs during his daily briefing Monday on the coronavirus pandemic.
DeWine praised the club members and the county’s 4-H program assistant, Jenny Morlock, for sending out thank you messages to people providing valuable services during the pandemic.
It wasn’t long before Morlock started receiving kudos about the organization’s new-found fame.
“I even heard from my fifth grade teacher,” Morlock said later in the day Monday.
The “4-H Thank an Essential Worker Challenge” was born out of a desire to find some sunshine in these difficult times.
“Like all of us, we’re not sleeping and we’re trying to find ways to thank people,” she said.
So last month, Morlock suggested to the county’s 4-H coordinator Jayne Roth that 4-H members be asked to show their appreciation to people performing essential services.
“I just wanted to have our kids show their thanks,” Morlock said. “I wanted to teach them that no matter what obstacles are in our way – we can do something.”
Members soon started submitting photographs of them holding signs thanking ODOT workers, health care workers, people who pick up trash, farmers, grocery store workers, and pizza delivery people.
“It’s become a long list of people they are thanking,” Morlock said.
Morlock applauded the ingenuity of the 4-H members – with some giving cameos to their cattle or goats with them in the “thank you” photos.
“They’ve been very, very creative, especially with their livestock,” she said.
Morlock has been taking those photos and sharing them on community Facebook pages where the 4-H members live.
“I’ve been trying to post them on pages throughout the county,” she said.
Eventually, the challenge made its way to the governor’s desk – then into Monday’s daily briefing.
“I had no idea that was going to happen. It was a bright light for our group,” Morlock said.
The current stay-at-home order means 4-H clubs cannot meet, and means adults like Morlock are trying to reach out in different ways – like the thank you challenge.
“Most definitely,” they are missed, she said. “We really do miss them a lot.”
“It’s all about the kids,” Morlock said.
