Sometimes, a simple bouquet of flowers can do more than brighten a room. It can brighten someone's entire day.
That's the idea behind the Jerauld-Buffalo County 4-H Light-A-Smile project, which brought colorful, handmade floral arrangements to residents of Weskota Manor Avera nursing home this summer.
With flowers in hand and a little creativity, 4-H members turned an afternoon of arranging bouquets into an opportunity to share kindness with older members of their community.
Under the guidance of Mercedes Jones, youth learned how to assemble floral arrangements, carefully combining blooms into bouquets destined for nursing home residents.
The annual project is about more than flowers. It gives young people a chance to put their time and talents toward something meaningful, while reminding residents that their community is thinking of them.
The effort was made possible through a partnership among 4-H members, the Extension Office, Weskota Manor Avera and local businesses that donated supplies and resources.
Sponsors included Bethany Schimke of 2nd & Bloom, Tyler Fastnacht of Simplot, and Audra Scheel and Katie Jones of Ranchy Stems.
During their final meeting of the 4-H year Sept. 20, members took time to recognize those who helped make the project possible.
While the flowers themselves may not last forever, the thought behind each bouquet reflects one of 4-H's most important lessons: Making a difference doesn't always require a grand gesture.
Sometimes, all it takes is a handful of flowers and a willingness to make someone smile.