EXTENSION
Established in 1932 in Oklahoma was a club designed to teach rural women how to enrich the lives of their families with that club being known as Home Demonstration Clubs. These clubs began with lessons, presented in each of the member’s homes on topics such as how to upholstery furniture, how to preserve foods, sewing clothing for their children and how to pack a child’s school lunch just to name a few of the hundreds of topics.
In Murray County, there were clubs in the outlying communities such as Nebo, Hickory, Big Canyon, and Joy as well as areas closer to Sulphur and Davis. Annual garden tours, cellar tours and picnics in the Platt National Park were social events, as well as educational events for women. Over time, topics of interest in education have changed, transportation to meetings has become much easier and ways of communication have improved but the topics of family remain the same, healthy eating, shopping on a budget, raising children, caring for the elderly and preparing for emergencies continue to be a focus.
Today’s Murray County OHCE clubs not only focus on education but on enriching their communities, our county and state through community service.Afew examples of their projects includes last year’s tornado recovery which found OHCE members investing more than 600 hours in volunteer time along with a large financial investment in donated supplies for victims.
Christmas, 2024 found members playing a large role in the INCA’s Toy’s for Tots Christmas party where members donated and prepared 400 hotdogs, purchased drinks, cookies and chips for participants as well as made 650 handmade stockings, donated two custom banners, donated over 600 pairs of socks, small toys, and personal items and donated several hours to prepare for the event.
Support for the county 4-H Youth Program sent four children to summer camp,OHCE donated $3,000 to send 4-H teens to Washington, D.C., members baked goods for the 4-H concession fall and spring concession stand sales as well as sending one teen to 4-H Leadership Conference just to name a few.
OHCE membership is open to both men and women and detailed information can be obtained by calling the OSU Extension Office, 622-3016 or drop by the office located on the Expo grounds.
