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AUTHOR Mower, Pauline G., Ed.TITLE FHA /HERO and the Older Generation.INSTITUTION Future Homemakers of America, Washington, D.C.PUB DATE Jun 74NOTE 35p.

EDRS PRICE mF-$0.76 HC-$1.95 PLUS POSTAGEDESCRIPTORS *Interpersonal Relationship; Learning Activities;

Program Descriptions; *Recreational Activities;*Senior Citizens; *Youth Clubs; *Youth Programs

IDENTIFIERS PHA; *Future Homemakers of America; HERO; HomeEconomics Related Occupations

ABSTRACTThe booklet describes a sampling of projects and

activities carried out by Future Homemakers of America (FHA) and HomeEconomics Related Occupations (HERO) chapters to indicate how theyare concerned for, working with, and learning from older citizens intheir respective communities. Projects range from a simple act offriendship to learning experiences meaningful to society andsatisfying to both young and old. Such projects include: ExtraSpecial People, a Statewide program of volunteer work with oldercitizens in Arizona, and numerous activities and programs in manyother States such as redecorating old folks' homes, observing SeniorCitizens' Day, young people adopting old people living in rest homes,and special activities for various holidays, especially Christmas,(NH)

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OLDER GENERATION

FUTURE HOMEMAKERS OF AMERICA

F H AE

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To help youth assume their roles in

society through home economics education

in areas of personal growth, family life,

vocational preparation and community

involvement.

-- To INSTITUTE PROGRAMS PROMOTING GREATER

UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN YOUTH AND ADULTS.

Published: June, 1974

National HeadquartersFuture Homemakers of America2010 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20036

Editor: Pauline G, Mower

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WE BELIEVE

that major problets and concerns in oursociety can be greatly lessened by ouraction as Future Homemakers of America.

Through projects with the elderly wenot only obtain the satisfaction, ofknowing that we are helping ourcommunity, but a special kind of friend-ship grows between us and the agingbecause of our joint effort to help andbe helped.

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Future Homemakers of America, the nationalorganization for secondary school students inhome economics and home economics related occupa-tions, adds the dimension of practical experienceand human relationships to classroom learningthrough FHA and HERO chapter projects. As anintegral part of the curriculum, it helps developindividual and group initiative in preparationfor family life and the world of work.

The organization's program is designed tohelp students understand themselves and explorein depth their relationship to all segments ofour society. Young people of today have theability to look at society and analyze what ishappenli,

This analytical insight makes it possiblefor youth to assume their responsibilities forsetting goals and implementing action towardthe improvement of situations and the utiliza-tion of human resources. This whole process ofgiving of self, sharing and working with others,becomes a growth experience for the youth andis a valuable aspect of training for adulthood.

FHA-HERO members take much of the responsibility for program development. Their PROGRAMACTION IMPACT kit was designed to help membersat all levels - chapter, state and national -to plan and execute their own programs based ontheir own concerns. One of these concerns isthe need of older citizens for contact andassociation with the community and particularlywith the younger members of our society.

As the youth communicate and work with oldercitizens in their communities they are learningthat those they call "elderly" still have agreat deal to offer.

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They discover that there is much theycan learn from the talents, experience andknowledge of the older generation and muchthe youth can give.

For these reasons many FHA and HERO chaptersthroughout the country have elected to do volun-teer work with the elderly. In some cases theycooperate with established programs in nursinghomes or other institutions for the aging. Inothers they are concerned with older citizenswho live in their own homes. An official repre-sentative of Future Homemakers of America serveson the Steering Committee for Services to Older.Persons in Their Own Homes or Other Places ofResidence - a follow-up committee to the WhiteHouse Conference an the Aging.

In working with and understanding olderpersons youth are broadening their views withregard to members of their own families. Theyare finding that young men and women areespecially good at bringing friendship andstimulation to lonely people in homes and hospitals.They are also learning that the older generationis made up of people with talents, abilities,skills and experiences that make them an inexhaus-tible human resource.

Projects range from a simple act of friend-ship - lending a helping hand, dispellingloneliness, letting the older individual knowthat someone cares and is interested - to learningexperiences, meaningful to society and satisfyingto both young and old.

The sampling of projects and activitiescarried out by FHA and HERO chapters that followare indicative of how Future Homemakers of Americain all parts of the country are concerned for,working with, and learning from the older citizensin their respective communities.

- EXTRA SPECIAL PEOPLE

Volunteer work with the older citizens isa State Project of the Arizona Association ofFuture Homemakers of America. Chapters through-out the state are finding involvement withE.S.P. (meaning EXTRA SPECIAL PEOPLE) aninteresting, learning experience.

Each chapter works out its own plan accord-ing to the needs of the respective communities.The reaction to the project of the Duncan HighSchool FHA chapter is an indication of what ishappening throughout the State of Arizona.

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Members of the Duncan High School chapterfound EXTRA SPECIAL PEOPLE in the Mountain ViewResthome at Safford, Arizona - 36 miles fromDuncan. Mrs. Barbara Powell, homo economicsteacher and FHA chapter adviser reports on thispart of the project.

"Response to the trips is always enthusias-tic as interest grows each year. The first tripwhich we made two years ago involved only aboutseven girls. This last one was so popular wehad to take a bus so there would be enough roomfor everyone who wanted to go. They don't wantto go home once we get there for they alwaysfind someone else to visit. We never get backto Duncan at the time we plan because they lovethese elderly people and these visits so muchthey stay as long as possible.

"This is one of the most popular activitiesour chapter has. ile're glad the state of Arizonaselected E.S.P. as one of its projects becauseit gives us an extra reason for visiting ourfriends in the nursing home.

"Over a period of time our chapter membershave become acquainted with at least one personand are to keep in contact with them and makevisits whenever possible on their own. Bachvisit they write letters, run errands, or justbe there.

"I am hoping they begin to make these specialpeople part of their lives and learn to understandmore fully the needs of the elderly. So far ithas been a big success because the young peoplehave responded to the loneliness and friendlinessof the patients in the nursing home. Hopefully,.the interest in this project will continue togrow and will be a meaningful experience for themembers of Duncan FHA."

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"Cherished bonds of friendship wereformed that night as young people and theelderly shared smiles, kind words, and afew tender touches.

"...the Duncan FHA chapter found inpromoting the state objective, ESP (Extra

BEST COPY AVAILABLESpecial People) such a true sense of lovethat the experience became very much apart of their lives."

Bonnie OffuttDuncan Chapter President

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IN NEBRASKA Chapters in Wauneta, Geneva and Bloomfieldadopted elderly persons in their respectivecommunities. An initial visit to a rest homesituation to entertain the residents most oftenis the motivating factor for a chapter in decidingto extend their involvement. Next step is settingup a meeting between the youth and communitypeople representing interests of the elderly tobegin making plans.

These chapters outlined their plan foraction this way:

1. Each member select an elderly personas an adopted grandparent

2. Schedule monthly parties for allresidents of the rest home and other"grandparents" living in t_ he community.

3. Assist the "grandparents" in such waysas setting hair, running errands,remembering them with cards, gifts onspecial occasions

4. Perform other services as the need arises.

The following is just one example of activi-ties carried out by these chapters.

The Wauneta chapter collected empty milkcartons from the school cafeteria, cut off thetops and washed them out.. Then, using construc-tion paper, pictures cut from magazines, and paperdoilies, they created decorative planters.Flowers, vegetables, and a variety of green thingswere. planted. For two weeks the FHA memberswatered and eagerly watched their plantings pop up.

On Valentine's Day they visited the SeniorCitizen's Village and Friendship Villa each carry-ing a gift of a planter to bring a bit of earlySpring to the residents.

These youth enjoy visiting with their oldfriends and hearing of their younger days andhave found that a simple gift serves to "breakthe ice",

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YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD --

To Get a Kick Out of Life!

Members of the Eva Gordon Chapter ofFuture Homemakers of America have beendemonstrating this to the elderly inMagnolia, Mississippi for fifteen years.

"Senior Citizens are FUN! Duringmy four years in the Eva Gordon chapternot a single year passed without a meaning-ful project for the elderly. We enjoyedworking with the Senior Citizens so muchthat each year we expanded our programWe like to give the Senior Citizens in ourcommunity a reason for getting up in themorning."

Sheila Martin

BEST COPY AVAILABLEBRIGHTENING THE OLD FOLKS HOME

"It's great to bea highlight insomeone else's day."

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Bare walls in an Old Folks Home in-spired the 150 members of the Clearfield,Utah chapter to make attractive wallhangings. Profits from a Bingo Partysupplied the money to purchase the materials.

A wall hanging was delivered to eachperson in the two homes in Ogden and theyoung and old visited and sang together -a bright spot on the wall and a brightday for all.

SENIOR CITIZENS DAY OBSERVED

Members of the Scottsburg, Indianachapter made Senior Citizens Day a specialone by volunteering free service to anysenior citizen in the county. They washedwindows, washed cars, ran errands, mowedlawns, picked up trash and any other odd jobthat needed doing.

WHAT CAN WE DO?

PLENTY!

Iowa State Officer Julia Lenth encouragedvolunteer work with the elderly by listing tensuggested chapter activities in the StateAssociation's newsletter.

(1) Adopt an elderly person. Look intotheir heritage and spend time with them. Rem-ember them on birthdays and other special occasions.

(2) Provide care-telephone-service. Aphone call now and then to just talk brightenstheir day.

(3) Run errands such as carry out the trash,move furniture, buy groceries, mail letters orpick up mail. Ask the senior citizens to put aposter in their window when he or she needs anFHAer's help.

(4) Plan a Getting to Know You Day. Sendinvitations and explain what FHA is about. Askthem to bring a craft or hobby. Have musicalentertainment at the party.

(5) Visit people at the local nursing homesand homes of the shut-ins. Remember them withcards and kind thoughts.

(6) Hold a Senior Citizens Fair. Ask themto bring their crafts, play games which theycan participate in, and put on a program. Canhave an evening meal. Provide a pick up serviceand drive them safely back home again.

(7) Entertain at a Senior Citizens' Club.Plan parties in detail. Do the decorating, pre-pare refreshments and the program.

(8) Take them to church, shopping, forpleasure rides, frequently call and make calls,arouse their interest in school activities andjust visit.

(9) Make Christmas cards and other craftsfor them.

(10) Hold a Senior Citizens-FHA potluckdinner.

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FOCUS ON ELDERLY .4. Our Activities

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Lennox, South Dakota chapterput'up this bulletin board in theFHA Center to show some of theiractivities with the elderly.

Joy Tuscherer reported thatthe chapter works primarily withresidents of the Good SamaritanCenter and the low-rent housingcomplex. Each member selects anadopted grandparent as herspecial responsibility to visitfrequently and help in anywayshe can.

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Raking leavesfor the

Elderly

Denise Tate had this to sayabout her adopted grandmother.

"I don't know, maybe it'sbecause we're not related thatwe can just plain talk aboutthings. If I talked to anybodyelse about weather or justhappenings around school, I'dfeel dumb and would think thatthey would think, 'Boy, what abore!' or 'Gee, what a dummy!'I can talk to her about almostanything. Something triviallike the weather or some of ournation's earthshaking problemsand crisis."

Lennox PHAers also find it's fun to thin things asspecial surprises for their elderly friends. So, afterstudying food preservation in home economics class they wenton a jelly-making sprea.

The jelly jars were labeled, decorated and gift wrappedand personally delivered as a pleasant surprise to eachadopted grandparent.

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Deliver personally to yourfavorite "grandmother".

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"We've found thatthey have interest-ing things to sayand good ideas toshare with us."

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DO THINGS WITH THE ELDERLY

Rolayne Ailts of Flaundreau, South Dakota,explains what working with the elderly meant toher chapter menbers and how they discovered thatcommunicatl.on is the key to understanding.

What first comes to your mind when you hearthe word elderly? Do you think of an intelligent,warm, interesting person who has experienced lifeand acquired a quiet wisdom? What probably comesto mind is a feeble, lonely depressed person.

The attitude toward our project to workwith the elderly at first was an "I should do this"approach. It was when we got to know our elderlyfriends that enthusiasm presented itself.

In our project we did deal with the feeble,the lonely and the very ill, but we also dealtwith many older people who had fascinating storiesof life before our time, who could teach ususeful and interesting crafts, who love to squaredance, and who are interested in you and whatyou are doing.

For the past two years our chapter has hadadopted Grandparents from our local nursing home.This year we decided to expand our project makingIt a part of our home economics classes. Wechose the title Do Things WITH the Elderly ratherthan FOR the Elderly, because we had learnedthat we would be the receivers, as well as thedoers.

Many of our elderly friends- came to ourclasses to help us learn to crochet, to show uswhat tatting is, to help us learn to quilt anddo soap carving. While we work with them wevisit and hear stories of their own youth.

We did not forget our older friends who. livein town. We helped them by cleaning yards,taking off storm windows, putting on screens andmaking ourselves available to run errands.

The following poem written by our chapterexpresses our feelings about our elderly friends.

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HOW MUCH WE HAVE GROWN

Life is exciting when you are youngAnd it's on to the future we goBut wait! Slow down! Come meet my new friendIt's someone you really should know.

Old folks? - we thought they were slow or dullCompletely "out of it, man"But they've learned to know what life's all aboutAnd can give you a start on your plan.

Don't miss this chance to sit at their feetAnd learn of the fullness of lifeWith an arm on your shoulder they'll tell you of joys,Successes, and struggles, and strife.

Just listen and learn for these "oldies" are wiseAnd can give you a pointer or twoReach out your hand to an elderly friendAnd you'll find a purpose anew.

It was through FHA we discovered our friendsAnd through them how much we have grownOur thought was to help them, how little we knewFor the benefit was mostly our own.

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"We get a glimpseof differentsurroundings andwhat they weredoing when theywere the age weare now."

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HAPPINESS IS CARING - IN SOUTH DAKOTA

The project "Happiness Is Caring" gavethe members of the Sturgis FHA chapter a betterunderstanding of the elderly. Their monthlyvisits to the nursing home brightened the dayof the elderly patients.

The youth worked closely with the Nursinghome staff and Director of Special Services tohelp out where it was most needed. They wroteletters, groomed the ladies hair, took thosewho were able on walks around the area, readto patients or spent time just visiting withthem.

On special occasions and holidays thechapter planned parties and special entertainment.Enlisting the cooperation of the drama classesand school chorus, they presented short plays,poems, skits, and singing.

When they discovered that eating was aproblem for some of the ill or feeble patients,large eating bibs were made in their home economicsclasses to keep clothing neat and make the mealmore enjoyable.

In addition to the volunteer work at 'thenursing home, the chapter also became involvedin the Senior Citizen Center. They assistedwith making the decor of the center more attrac-tive, created various interest centers anddesigned a large bulletin board.

At both the nursing home and the SeniorCitizen Center the chapter provided favors andrefreshments from time to time and always involvedthe elderly whenever possible in their sing-alongs, games, programs, and discussions. Asecret "grandmothers" tea is a highlight of theyear.

IN GEORGIA

"Little things likethese bring ourgenerations closertogether."

BRIDGING TWO GAPS WITH ONE PROJECT

The Doerun chapter found a way to bridgetwo generation gaps. In cooperation with thewomen's organizations of two local churchesthey planned for and presented monthly meetingsfor the Senior Citizens.

At an October meeting they planned gamesfor a Halloween Carnival, presented a "cakewalk" as part of the entertainment, and helpedserve refreshments.

A "Then and Now" theme was chosen for anothermeeting. The youth presented the early part ofthe program consisting of songs from the twoeras. Then members of the Senior Citizens Clubdisplayed and discussed quilts they had broughtfor the occasion. When it came refreshmenttime the oldsters were delighted to find thatthe FHAers had prepared sassafras tea and old-fashioned tea cake in keeping with the theme.

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Chapter members gained a greater understand.ing of the older generation aryl most importantthey have learned to join forces with adults tobenefit the Senior Citizens. The gap betweengenerations in Doerun is rapidly disappearing.

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Involvement is a very important word; itmeans caring enough to spend a lot of timedoing something worthwhile, something forsomeone else. Involved is what we FHAers havebeen doing this past year, with the agingpeople in our town. I've talked with people

INVOLVEMENT WITH THE AGING from many different chapters, and the projectshave ranged from giving parties in a certainconvalescent home on holidays, to providingservices such as driving them to church orshopping; and even actually "adopting" a grannyor granddad and making visits.

IN MISSISSIPPI

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This kind of involvement with the agingwas not only a "give" situation on the part ofthe FHA members, but rather a mutual "give andtake" between the FHAers and their granny/granddad. It is very easy for a student tobecome quite attached to the patient, and viceversa, and it is for this reason that thisproject was especially meaningful. This involve-ment will not dwindle at the end, of the year whennew state projects are chosen, but will last andreward both the FHAer and the patient with many.happy experiences.

(Reprinted from The Florida Future Homemaker)

The Ripley High School chapter members havevisited the local nursing home -- singing, readying, grooming hair, and doing favors for thepatients. In the neighborhoods they have driventhe elderly to purchase medicine, to get groceries,to the doctor's office, to Sunday School, Church,and other places they wanted to go. Some membershave invited them to their homes for dinner andothers have cooked food and carried it to theirhomes.

Through this association some of the seniorcitizens have taught the girls to embroidery,crochet, knit, and to make quilts. All havefound it an interesting and meaningful experience.

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It's the "youngies" against the "oldies" when the Nashua,Montana chapter puts on a Senior Citizens party. Whetherit's checkers or gin rummy or some other favorite game,the friendly rivalry is serious business. Who wins?Usually the "oldies" as far as the games are concerned buteverybody wins from the comradeship and an enjoyable evening.

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Winner, South Dakota -- Sing-Alongsare fun when everyone joins in onthe old tunes.

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WE NEED HELP! Members of the Pollack,South Dakota chapter wanted to learnhow to crochet. Where better to getexpert instruction than at the SeniorCitizens Craft Program.

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Newark, New Jersey - East Side HighSchool HERO chapter delivered theirhand-made decoupage pieces to theirfriends at the Little Sisters of thePoor rest home.

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IN MICHIGAN

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When the Brown City High School FHA chaptermet to consider a project they arrived at anagreement on two major concerns:

1. Lack of activities for the SeniorCitizens and elderly of the community and thebad outlook of both young and old upon peopleand ideals of other generations;

2. Lack of knowledge and interest of youthin the American Heritage, especially in the area.of American traditional skills and crafts.

They were also aware that the BicentennialCommission had asked the vocational educationyouth groups to carry out meaningful projectsto improve their communities.

The twenty -five members of the chapterdecided on a project that would combine all ofthe above - getting the older citizens of thecommunity to help youth in learning of theAmerican crafts and sharing in the "spirit" ofAmerica.

For a beginning chapter members studiedabout the elderly - their ideas, way of life,problems, joys, and early American crafts.They looked at films on the aging and hadspeakers from the Senior Citizens Club at theirmeetings.

Two special evening programs were organized.Crafts-Americana Night was planned for youth andSenior Citizens to explore together some of thevanishing crafts found in early America.Demonstration tables were set up, manned bysenior citizens who displayed their particularcrafts or hobbies and answered questions as theyouth moved from table to table. The demonstrationsiincluded crocheting, hand and machine quiltingtechniques, needlepoint, tatting, ribbon weaving,afghan looming, and steps involved in oil painting.'

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The oldsters gave youth a personal glimpseinto America's past. The evening was such asuccess plans were immediately begun for another"heritage" evening.

Working together the FHA youth and SeniorCitizens put on a combination. Ramble -In Antiqueand Round-Up Fashion Show. Early Americanantiques and memento, of the past were exhibited.Senior citizens were delighted to discuss thebackground of the various items. On displaywere butter churns, rusty gunpowder packers,yellowed photos and "can't-bear-to-part with"family treasures.

The evening ended with a BUSTLES TO BOOTS'fashion review featuring clothes from Revolu-tionary Days to today. Great Grandmother'swedding gowns, ball dresses, farm clothing andGay Nineties apparel were among the fashions

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These programs were a work-together, share-together experience for both age groups, as wellas proving that there is more to a Bicentennialcelebration than flag waving, firecrackers andfancy festivals.

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Strengthening HomeAnd Family Living

Through Communication

With the emphasis, Strengthening Home andFamily Living, the Louisa Chapter of FutlareHomemakers of America began this school ,yearwith communication as our major concern.

The members and officers of our chapterfelt a dr.dinite need for improvement with thecommunication problems that sometimes existbetween young and older individuals. Thiscommunication gap was bridged by the currentinterest in home accessories of by-gone days.Using these as a common interest the membersof the chapter decided to invite their grand-mothers to a meeting for an exchange of talents.Students and grandmothers alike brought accessoriesfor the home which they had made. Members weredelighted to find that common interests servedas an interesting and rewarding basis for con-versation. Each grandmother and student had anopportunity to display and explain hobbies theyhad worked on in their leisure time. Bothparties felt that having a constructive hobbywas a fine and rewarding experience.

(Reprinted from THE VIRGINIA FUTURE HOMEMAKER)

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IN HAWAII

The stories theytell and the know-ledge you gainhelps you betterunderstand yourworld.

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The ninety-six members of the Kauai High Schoolchapter at Lihue set up a planning committeeto master-mind their project "Living With theElderly". Goals developed by the youth were toparticipate in and learn more about the seniorcitizens programs, stimulate interest andawareness of the aged porulation, and promotea closer relationship.

To gather information they consulted with theCommittee on the Aging, Department of SocialServices, Health Department, and hospital person-nel. They talked with Grandparents, did Libraryresearch, collected newspaper articles, brochuresand pamphlets, and had speakers on the subjectfor chapter programs.

Kathy Yukinura, National Committees"member ofFuture Homemakers of America, who supervisedthe project, gave the following report of thechapter's activities.

"Our chapter members were interested in whatlife was like forty or fifty years ago. So,

we planned a Panel Discussion on the subject.Panel participants were four senior citizens anda translator from the Kauai Committee on theAging - a Filipino, a Japanese, and two Portugese.The language barrier was difficult at first,since all spoke in broken English, but as eachrelaxed and became engrossed in the discussion,it became easier to understand one another. FHAmembers had many questions to ask. They beganto realize the vast changes which had taken placein the lifetime of our elderly visitors.

"The lively interaction continued through theluncheon prepared by the chapter. Interestinglyenough we learned that our activity meant a greatdeal to the Committee on Aging, as well as toourselves. The committee was concerned that thevaluable history of Hawaii would be lost, if noone took the initiative to record the life storiesof our older citizens. They had come equippedwith a tape recorder to capture the memories ofour guests."

"I never knew oldpeople could beso much fun!"

"We learned that the senior citizens metevery Tuesday morning for programs ane socializ-ing. One Tuesday we baked cookies and cakesfor their coffee break and enjoyed out. newlymade senior friends so much that we continuedparticipating in their meetings.

"Another exciting activity was our Smorgas-bord. With the help of our Moms, the chapterprepared foods originating in the countries ofour ancestors. Families, Grandparents, and anyelderly friends were invited to this gala event.There were Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Portugese,and American foods - each dish having a flag ofits native country. After dinner we all playedBingo. Such a fun night will long be rememberedand will be repeated next year.

"Our project isn't over. Next year we wouldlike to organize regular sessions where we canlearn crafts and hobbies of the past. We feelwe would not only learn a-great dedl from oursenior friends, but we would also help them tobecome a more useful part of our society.

"This year has been exceptionally enriching.FHAers learned so much about the aged and areexperiencing better relationships with our ownGrandparents and with the elderly people ingeneral in our community.

"Lack of communication, a barrier that hasalways existed between young and old, is graduallybreaking down through the combined efforts ofall involved. To see such changes is a rewardingexperience and serves to motivate us to continueour efforts toward building a better world."

"The activitieswhich take placeduring the visitare not as impor-tant as the factthat someone comesand offers continu-ing companionshipto an older personwho may otherwisefeel lonely andisolated."

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KIDS ARE KREATIVE

Things Future Homemakers of America comeup with to brighten up the lives of the oldercitizens are as varied as the creativity andimagination of youth. On these pages are justa few of their ideas.

Bacon County High School chapter at Alma, Georgiaused a unique idea of having a "Learning LostArts" booth at the county fair to begin theirproject of understanding different age groupswith differing abilities. Handicrafts wereborrowed from older people for display and bothyoung and old worked together in the booth.

,Sajisasl_LiberalIlSchoolchaterp prepared200 bedside bags to be used by the CountrysideManor Nursing Home.

The Laramie,Wyoming High School chapter madefl6Wers constructed out of pipe cleaners,material, wire and florist tape to deliver tothe Albany County Manor residents. For Halloweenthey made pom pom pumpkins and witch favors toplace on eating trays.

Rockmart, Georgia High School chapter collectedfruit, wrapped it in cellophane, tied it withcolorful ribbons, then made tacks to the PolkCounty Nursing Home to bring in a bit of sunshineon a rainy afternoon.

W.C. Pryor Junior High School chapter atWalton, Florida made lap robes and "saddlebags" for their adopted grandparents.

Greencastle, Pennsylvania High School chaptergot the community to set up a "crafts fromthe past" room where chapter members couldvisit with and learn from the older citizens.

GRANNY PANEL

Ever hear of a "GRANNY PANEL"? That'swhat the members of the Southern Wells HighSchool chapter called one of their programs.Participants on the panel were Senior Citizensfrom the local community.

Each "Granny" gave a brief presentationof happenings in her youth, sharing secrets_of her own dating days. They discussed suchthings as age for dating, curfew, and goingsteady.

As the evening progressed with a questionand_answer exchange, it was clear that "parentsand grandparents really aren't very differentthan youth today." All felt that "the generationgap really isn't so important after all."

Communication and understanding through asimple "GRANNY PANEL" evening served to breakdown many of the barriers between the generations.

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CHRISTMAS IS A TIME FOR GIVING

"We may just sit,have a goodconversation, orlook at picturestogether."

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Thousands of youthful members of FutureHomemakers of America who do volunteer workwith the elderly during the year, give upmany hours of their own leisure time to plansomething special to bring the spirit ofChristmas into the lonely lives of'the aging.

In addition to the "usual", chaptermembers come up with novel ideas resultingfrom a desire to do something just a littledifferent for their older friends.

The Lynn and Haleyville chapters inAlabama decided "no-one-is too old to enjoya Christmas stocking." Putting action to wordsthey set about making a stocking for each ofthe residents at the nursing home.

Yards and yards of red, green and whitefelt, patterns, needles, thread and scissorswere coupled with willingness, enthusiasm,imagination and creativity. Stockings weretrimmed with Christmas appliques, bells thattinkled, bows and ribbon. FHAers worked intheir home economics classes, in their sparetime and at chapter meetings. When 100Christmas stockings were ready they werefilled with apples, oranges, tangerines, wrappedhard candies, gum and other goodies. Tuckedinside the top were short notes of Christmasgreetings and the name of the sender. The youngpeople delivered the stockings hanging one foreach resident. They made a colorful dedoration,provided extras for snack time, and a nice visitfrom the youth who delivered the stockings.

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CHRISTMAS IS A TIME

FOR PLAYING

SANTA

'One night whenI was home afterschool I thoughtof my adoptedgrandmotherI made somecookies and letthem coolIt's fun toshare with oneanother."

Members of the Brookhaven, Mississippichapter met at night to make ceramic coffeecups in the shape of Santa Claus for eachresident of Moore's Nursing Home. The youngpeople arrived at the Home with a Christmastree and a box of decorations. After trimmingthe tree, they presented the Santa cups andChristmas cards to each resident.

Newport, Washington chapter set out toknit and crochet enough slippers for everyonein the local Nursing Home. The chairman madeand posted a chart showing the number of slipperscompleted. Enthusiasm ran so high non-memberspitched in to help with this Christmas activity.One hundred pairs of slippers wrapped asChristmas presents were delivered at the NursingHome's annual Christmas party.

The Winona, Mississippi High School chapterspent the week before Christmas working as"Santa's Little Helpers". Each of the thirty-seven members was responsible for three emptybaby food jars which they decorated with Santafaces and caps. The costumed food jars werestuffed with a variety of candies and onChristmas Day were placed on each lunch trayat the Riddell Nursing Home.

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34

THOUGHTS ABOUT MY FRIEND

My Elderly Companion is 80 years old.

She has high blood pressure and she cannot walk.

I have helped her out as much as I could,

In September I went to see her twice and tookgifts.

I helped her with her housekeeping every month.

I took food on certain days of the month.

I would stay with her while her husband wasgone somewhere.

She and I would sit around and talk about herlife and mine.

She enjoys having someone to talk to.

Last summer I helped her tend to her garden andcan and freeze her vegetables.

In October I helped clean house and did a fewthings around the yard such as mowing and workingin the flowers.

She is in a wheel chair but shy can walk a littlewhen someone is helping her.

She always seems happy seeing me come to visit.

She enjoys everything in life and looks forwardto the next day and wishes people all thehappiness in the world.

She is a very nice elderly companion and I havereceived more from her than I have given.

Marie NewmanMember Intermediate School FHA Chapter

Hillsville, Virginia

3 5

Interaction between young and old caa haveinteresting results. District B Future Homemakersin the State of Maine chose the theme "YOUNG ANDYOUNG IN HEART" for a fall meeting. A letterwritten by one of the Senior Citizens to thelocal newspaper explains what can be accomplishedwhen young and old communicate.

To The Times:

"It was my great privilege to attend the District Convention ofthe Future Homemakers of America held at Mt. Desert Island HighSchool October 18. Eight schools were included and their conventiontheme was Young and Young In Heart. I am proud to have been invitedto participate as one of the young in heart.

"After the business meeting we went to a room where tables werearranged for the 'Buzz Session'. Fifteen girls and one adult wereseated at each table and I was very impressed with the girls at mytable. Even the shy ones who did not ask as many questions wereavidly interested in the answers to those asked by others. I amthankful that I have read a lot, keeping in touch with the problemsof today's young, since their questions demanded- answers of a personwho is cognizant of their life today.

...The girls had not prepared questions in advance of the meet-ing, but were never at a loss to find some to ask -- on modern dress,especially hot pants and slacks, on the new moral code, X ratedmovies, the drug problem, communication between parents and children,abortion, women's lib, divorce, mothers who worked, parents bickeringbefore children, and many others of lesser importance. I had steel-ed myself to face one on trial marriages and was thankful it wasnot asked; I was unprepared to cope with that one.

"I am convinced that if people who are critical of young peoplewould but take time to be with them more, trying to understand theirattitudes, that there would be far less criticism. To my, mind, girlsin the 12 to 16 age group are much more aware and advanced than girlsin my generation. Radio and Television may partially account forthis, but the great desire to learn would be my choice of an answer...Our future is in good hands."

FUTURE HOMEMAKERS OF AMERICA

A SELF-SUPPORTING, NONPROFIT, NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONFOR STUDENTS IN HOME ECONOMICS AND HOME ECONOMICSRELATED OCCUPATIONS, OPERATING AS AN INTEGRAL PARTOF THE HOME ECONOMICS EDUCATION PROGRAM IN PRIVATEAND.PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

TWO TYPES OF CHAPTERS:

FHA CHAPTERS -- place major emphasis on consumereducation, homemaking and familylife education combihed withexploration of jobs and careers.

HERO CHAPTERS - (Home Economics Related Occupations)place major emphasis on preparationfor jobs and careers with recognitionthat workers also fill multiple rolesas homemakers and community leaders.

Future Homemakers of America is sponsored by The

Division of Vocational and Technical Education,

U. S. Office of Education - and - The American

Home Economics Association.

National HeadquartersFuture Homemakers of America2010 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.Washington, D.C. 20036