Murray County OHCE members met recently for the annual awards presentation and member recognition for work conducted in 2024.
OHCE is an acronym for Oklahoma Home & Community Education, today’s version of what many remember as Home Demonstration Clubs many years ago. The Murray County clubs are Harmony, Helping Hand, Oaklawn and Progressive and have an enrollment of 40 plus members.
OHCE has 3,200 members state-wide with clubs in all of Oklahoma’s 77 counties. There is a state organization in which Murray County has been and continues to be very involved through project participation as well as members serving in leadership roles.
Some recently completed projects Murray County members have conducted include the purchasing of benches for the Davis splashpad and the Sulphur Veteran’s park, sewing 650 stockings and sponsoring all of the food served for the county’s Toys for Tots Christmas party. The group has purchased a set of reading books for dyslexic students of every grade for the Veritas School, conducted a sewing workshop for 4-H camp, financially supported the county 4-H teens for an educational trip to Washington, D.C. and have donated hundreds of volunteer hours to the tornado event last April. These are just a few of the accomplishments and the group continues to conduct community service projects all while focusing on education and strengthening families.
Awards presented included Rookie of the Year Angela Howard, Member of the Year Susie Edgar and Heart of OHCE Beverly Runyan.
Receiving perfect attendance was Beverly Runyan and Karen Clay, both Harmony members OHCE is open to everyone and not does discriminate regarding race, sex, color or marital status. For more information contact the Murray County OSU Extension Office.
The special Heart of OHCE Award was presented to Beverly Runyan, left. Runyan founded the Rainbow Club in 1983 with the club’s name changing in 2024 to Harmony. Runyan has continued her membership for over 43 years, currently holding the office of President for her club. Presenting the award was County President Teo Hair.
Angela Howard, left, member of the Harmony Club receives the Rookie Award which is given to members with less than 4 years of membership. Howard was instrumental in organizing the Expo meal service during the 2024 tornado trauma. Presenting the award isTeo Hair, County President.
