McLean County Association for Home and Community Education

Home
United States
Bloomington, IL
McLean County Association for Home and Community Education

Call Directions Website Contact the organization

Educational organization, presenting programs monthly at 6 different unit (club) meetings, September through June.June meetings vary per each unit.

This organization was organized in 1918 in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the University of Illinois Extension. Today McLean County HCE has about 160 members in 7 units who actively support the Extension mission of helping area residents put knowledge to work in all areas of life and work. Lessons are presented, demonstrations given and lifelong friendships gained through the varied HCE activities. HCE has one primary purpose: "Helping members find a better way to a better life through education." The 103rd Annual Meeting of McLean County Association for Home and Community Education was held at the Chateau on July 13, 2021 with 67 attending. We heard an excellent program "Photography for Fun" given by Robin Bagwell. The installation of officers was led by IAHCE District 2 Director Rita Overacker with IAHCE president Angela Hicks assisting. A delicious lunch was served and members and guests were able to view the Fine Arts Fair entries brought. Eight entries were picked to go on to the states' (IAHCE) Annual Conference in Effingham, IL on March 15-17, 2022. Our theme for the coming HCE year is "Change is to Grow - Grow is to Become." This year there are many ongoing projects to include: Community Service Day, Read & Share, Soldier Projects, collections for the Fostering Dignity Foundation, Cultural Enrichment projects almost every month, bake sales throughout the county which earns money to support the HCE Scholarship Fund for 4-H, and to support of other 4-H activities and countless community service projects. Membership also allows many social activities and most importantly the many educational program presented approximately 8 months during the HCE year, September through May. The educational programs help members enhance their lives through these quality programs and experiences encouraging responsible leadership and service to the community.

10/01/2026

SUMMER 2026 PHOTOS…

10/01/2026

HCE Units Will Explore the Underground Railroad in McLean County

The major lesson for October unit meetings will be “The Underground Railroad in McLean County: Personal Stories.”

The minor lesson is “Illinois History with Recipes”; 309-532-2125.

The public is welcome at all meetings and programs. Individual units meet as follows:

Eastsiders:
9:15 a.m., Oct. 2,

McLean County Extension office,

Lesson by Joanne Hart,
Members are to bring cookies/brownies for Safe Harbor and Abundant Life Missions; 309-825-8458.

Downs:
9:30 a.m. Oct. 6,

Downs Firehouse,
Lessons by Rosemary Toohill,

Members will fill bags for the Holder and Bellflower elevators,

Members are to bring Veterans and food pantry items and books to exchange;

309-825-4674.

Towanda:
6:30 p.m. Oct. 12,
Towanda Community Building, Lessons by Cindy Kelley; 309-824-4797.

Night Owls:
7:00 p.m. Oct. 21

LaTeaDa Tea Room,

1100 S. Madison St, Clinton,

Lessons will be presented by Karen Carrigan, hostesses are Carol Hanafin and Cheryl Gebhardt; 309-829-2537.

09/24/2026

FAMILY ISSUES - COMMUNITY OUTREACH
2026-2027 special project to have collections this year is for
Ministry & More Food Pantry, Bloomington.

Oct- Full sized toothpaste/brushes for adults & children
Nov- Lotion, razors, shave cream for women & men
Dec- deodorant, vitamins, OTC pain medicine for all ages.
Jan, 2027- pads, panty liners, tampons

Contact Linda Conder, Chair
309-287-5588
[email protected]

09/06/2026

(CVH) A Certified Volunteer Hour program tracks time spent preparing and conducting community service through county and state Home and Community Education (HCE) organizations.

Our first due date for CVH Volunteer Hours submission was June 30. For those of you who have sent Paula your CVH hours, thank you so much! This is a little reminder for the rest of you who haven't sent your CVH hours. Paula appreciates your help with this very important piece of McLean County volunteering.

* Due June 30 (January through June volunteer hours)
* Due November 30
* July through December (December volunteer hours may be estimated)
* Preceding two years’ CVH volunteer hours that were not reported previously

1) Email your volunteer hours electronically using the Individual Volunteer Hours Record Sheet that was emailed to you recently.

When emailing CVH information to Paula, include “CVH Report ” in subject line.

OR

2) Send volunteer hours by mail as a hard copy or hand in person using the Individual Volunteer Hours Record Sheet.

Contact info: Paula Miller: 309–824–0661 for the form. [email protected]

McLean County HCE had also been an RSVP agency. As of July, 2026 YWCA will no longer serve as coordinators of the RSVP program since the program funding was eliminated.

09/05/2026

FAMILY ISSUES - COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Our 2026-2027 special project to have collections for this year is
Ministry & More Food Pantry, Bloomington.

Sep collections will be– Full sized shampoo, conditioner, body wash/bar soap.

Contact Linda Conder, Chair
309-287-5588
[email protected]

09/04/2026

SOLDIER PROJECTS
We are collecting items for veterans. Questions/contact: Cindy Kelley 309–824–4797

09/01/2026

SEPT UNIT PROGRAMS…
100 Year Celebration of Route 66
The public is welcome at all meetings and programs. Individual units meet as follows:

Downs Unit:
9:30 a.m. Sept. 1,
Downs Firehouse for meeting,
Lunch at Jacks Café in LeRoy,
Lesson by Becky Toohill; 309-825-4674.

Eastsiders Unit:
9:15 a.m., Sept. 4,
McLean County Extension office,
Lesson by Ruth Poppe; 309-825-8458.

Towanda Unit:
6:30 p.m. Sept. 14,
Towanda Community Building,
Lesson by Linda Conder; 309-824-4797.

Night Owls Unit:
6:00 p.m. Sept. 16,
Potluck dinner in the multi-purpose room at Parmon
House, Blm,
Followed by the meeting,
Members are to bring a dish to share -
Tableware and drinks will be provided,

Lessons will be presented by Mary Jane Wood, Hostesses are Kathryn McNeely and Arlene Sieg;
309-829-2537.

08/08/2026

2026 McLean County HCE Scholarship Recipients

McLean County HCE is pleased to announce three recipients for the 2026 Scholarships. To be eligible, these 4-H members must have exhibited a 4-H project in one or more of the Home & Family or Foods, Nutrition & Health areas at the 2025 4-H fair and 3 other years in their 4-H career.

Corinna Thomas is the daughter of Tina Thomas of Bloomington and the late John Thomas. She is a 10-year member of the Ardent Tillers 4-H Club. Her roles as Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice President of her club have helped her to gain confidence in managing responsibilities and work collaboratively with others. Among her many service activities, she has been a bell ringer for the Salvation Army, cleaned up parks, served at a food pantry, helped at a nursing home, and volunteered at events to promote literacy and education for children. Corinna is currently enrolled at the University of Illinois Springfield majoring in Elementary Education, minoring in music with endorsements in Special Education, ESL, and music education. Her long-term goal is to create an inclusive, supportive, and engaging learning environment where students feel valued and encouraged to reach their full potential.

Ella Sommer is the daughter of Mike and Rebecca Sommer. She is a 9-year member of the Bloomington Busy Bees 4-H Club. She is very involved in 4-H having been president of her club, where she has lead meetings, coordinated the calendar, guest speakers, club activities, and service projects. This has led to other areas of 4-H including McLean County Youth Representative on the Unit 12 University of Illinois Extension Council. In addition to 4-H, Ella has been active in the community. She has served at the Midwest Food Bank, Salvation Army, local nursing homes, her church, and at her school. Ella plans to study next year at the University of Illinois with the desire to become a school speech pathologist.

Ojas Shah is the son of Devang and Rupa Shah and is currently attending The University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. He was an 8-year member of the Silverleaf Let’s Go Ag 4-H Club. He has served on the 4-H Youth Leadership Team and was President of the Illinois 4-H Healthy Living Ambassadors. He helped organize Junior Leadership Conferences and was selected as 1of 10 delegates to the National 4-H Congress. This year he was also selected as a 4-H Healthy Teen Living Ambassador. Ojas presented a workshop at National 4-H Ignites Sumit in Washington DC. Outside 4-H, Ojas has been a board member on the school’s computer science club and part of Future Business Leaders of America and was the Central Illinois Region Vice President. He is currently on the leadership committee of a student entrepreneurship club. Beyond college, Ojas would like to work on bringing together his two educational interests to create autonomous terrestrial and aerial robots to assist farming practices .

05/25/2026

June Unit Meetings

Downs: Tues., June 2, 10:15 a.m.
Shopping at the gift shop followed by lunch at the Tea Room at the Depot, 301 N Main St, Mackinaw. Those wishing to carpool will meet at 9:20 a.m. at St Mary’s Church, 108 E. Washington St, Downs; Info: 309-825-4674.

Eastsiders: Fri., June 5, 11 a.m.
Lunch at Jack’s Café, 210 Sunset Dr #1600, LeRoy, IL; R.S.V.P. by June 1 to 309-287-8214.

Towanda: Mon., June 15, 11:30 a.m.
Lunch at Panera Bread, 208 Greenbrier Dr, Normal followed by volunteering at Midwest Food Bank, R.S.V.P. by June 11: 309-824-4797.

Night Owls: Wed., June 17, 4:30 p.m.
Tour American Giants Museum 100 SW Arch St, Atlanta, IL followed by dinner at Country-Aire Restaurant, 606 E South St, Atlanta, IL; R.S.V.P. by June 15: 309-310-1670.

Address

Bloomington, IL
61704

Telephone

+13096638306

Website

http://www.mcleanhce.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when McLean County Association for Home and Community Education posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to McLean County Association for Home and Community Education:

Want your organization to be the top-listed government service in Bloomington?