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BOZEMAN - - When Montana's Martin Luther King Jr. Commission had to choose a recipient for its first Freedom Bell Award, the choice was easy: Montana 4-H.
The award is presented to a group which exemplifies the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in outstanding service to their communities.
Montana's 4-H'ers were granted the award in recognition for their 1995 service projects to honor Dr. Kingís birthday. 4-H clubs across Montana participated in over 70 service projects, ranging from building houses for the needy to visiting elderly shut-ins. 4-H groups again staged similar projects to honor Dr. King in 1996.
"There was such a tremendous focus of energy that the commission wanted to honor 4-H's partcipation," said Kay Maloney, a member of the commission. "This award can go to anyone who does an outstanding job of bringing Dr. King's mission to fruition."
As a newly formed non-profit organization, the King Commission was looking for ways to have the most effect across the state, said Maloney. "We knew getting young people involved was important," she said. "We also know 4-H has wonderful communication, and service as a goal."
Gary Conti, a member of the commission and an adult education professor at MSU-Bozeman, contacted Betty McCoy, state 4-H program leader, who passed the information on to 4-H groups across Montana. The response was overwhelming.
"I don't know of any other state -- anywhere -- that has the level of participation that Montana does," said the Rev. Phil Caldwell, chairman of the commission. "I think it is indicative of the attitudes in Montana. I don't even have the words to express my appreciation and feelings for how well the 4-H clubs responded."
The Freedom Bell awards ceremony took place Jan. 11 of this year at the Governor's Mansion in Helena.
Governor Marc Racicot presented the award to Anna Parker of Fort
Shaw, president of the State 4-H Ambassadors; along with 4-H State
Ambassador Officers Melissa Kovanda of Columbus and Mike Weinheimer
of Moore. Also present were Pat Stackhouse, Ambassador advisor;
Betty McCoy; and Andrea Pagenkopf, director of Extension.
From the 4-H Clover Project Selection Guide