BROWN COUNTY — The Comfrey Comets 4-H club recently received a $750 Helping Hands University Extension Service community service grant to be used to purchase fabric to sew gowns for mammography patients at the Allina Health-Springfield Clinic.

The Comets will team with local quilting ladies to assist and gain insight into fabric purchasing and patterns in the project called Sewing Kindness in our Community.

Brown County 4-H Extension Educator Janessa Palmer shared her thoughts on the grant.

“This is the third state-wide grant that the Comfrey Comets 4-H Club has earned in the past year, which is an incredible feat,” Palmer said.

“The club continues to earn these funds through their dedication to serving their local community through creative problem solving and partnerships, and selecting projects with long-term impacts,” she aded. “The youth of the Comfrey Comets recognize the value of sharing their talents with others, and have a phenomenal team of volunteers supporting them.”

This year, more than $72,000 was awarded in $200 to $2,000 increments to 36 Minnesota 4-H club youth programs and projects.

The Norseland 4-H Club in Nicollet County received $1,200 to be used for the club’s 100th anniversary celebration designed to connect all individuals who were part of the club over the past 100 years.

The Watonwan County True Leaders in Equity Club of Madelia received $2,000. A leadership team of high school juniors and seniors supported by adult mentors participate in needs assessment and identified topics they will use for educational sessions for 7-12 graders.

The club will also complete a project that impacts the Madelia school and community around its identified topics of mental health, gender identity, culture and secondary education.

The Cottonwood County Ag Explorers received $2,000 to purchase, assemble and distribute 100 first aid kits to area farmers.

The Rush River Rushers in Sibley County received $1,400 for help other volunteers clean and maintain a playground in Rush River Park. Plans include installing wood chips around playground equipment, doing preventative maintenance and painting lavatories.

4-H youth and volunteers submitted proposals highlighting their criteria such as expanding access to 4-H to new and diverse participants, partnering with local organizations and businesses, planning creative and innovative approaches for long-term impact.