The Woods County Lone Star OHCE group recently received top honors for their local efforts in promoting Oklahoma Home and Community Education (OHCE) Week May 5–11 at the state OHCE meeting held July 7–9 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center in Oklahoma City.

To win first place in the OHCE Week local group category, the Lone Star OHCE group volunteered their time and talents in accomplishing several community events and activities. The members began OHCE Week with a newspaper ad in the Woods County Enterprise, and a poster board presentation showcasing the groups' activities and events conducted this past year. A specialty banner with the members' individual photos was designed and displayed to promote the bonds of friendship in belonging to an OHCE group. The downtown Waynoka light poles were decorated with ribbons to bang awareness of the group's efforts for the upcoming week.

In a special endeavor, during OHCE Week, the Lone Star OHCE group provided the Waynoka and Freedom EMS ambulances with over 80 teddy bears and stuffed animals that they collected through donations from the public promoted by fliers and newspaper articles. Core Bank, in downtown Waynoka, was one of the locations for collecting the teddy bears. The teddy bears are now being used to add special comfort to young accident victims being transported by ambulances during their time of need.

Susie Hull, Lone Star OHCE president, said, "being a part of the medical staff serving Waynoka and being a member of the Lone Star OHCE group really brings this special project close to home, and I'm proud of our members tor stepping up to make it beneficial to our community."

The group was recognized in the Waynoka community for their roles in education and community outreach. The Lone Star OHCE group assisted the Waynoka Library's summer reading program by making a monetary donation. The funds were used to purchase supplies and materials wherever needed for the summer reading program.

The Lone Star OHCE group supports the Woods County 4-H program, the Waynoka 4-H Club and the Cloverbud 4-H Club throughout the year with scholarship support, treats for activities and monetary support to help fund 4-H projects.

At the recent 2019 Woods County 4-H Achievement Banquet, held Aug. 2 an Alva, the members of the lone Star OHCE group were presented with a plaque as the 2018-2019 Woods County Honorary Members. They were selected because of their support and participation in many events held throughout the year.

Members of the Lone Star OHCE group are: Jane Adair, Charla Turner, Emily Smith-Dunn, Jillian York, Lisa Higgins, Wendie Jenks-Wilson, Machelle Zook, Brenda Shanks, Paula Fuqua, Annette Fales, Paula McMurphy, Susan Hull, Sharon Barnes, Cleta Belle Zook, April Decker Janna Storer, Hannah Kimbro, Anna Milloedge, Susan Gum, Jacque Crusinbery ,. Karlea Irvin, Angela Pearson, Jessica Hanks.