Jasper County
Association for Home and Community Education

About Us:

Established on April 24, 1945, Jasper County HCE (formerly called Home Bureau, Home Extension and Homemaker's Extension Association) is an independent, not-for-profit organization which supports the Clay/Effingham/Fayette/Jasper - University of Illinois Extension Unit.

From 1939 until April 1945, women from Jasper County originally were members of Effingham County Home Bureau; however, as more women became interested in joining, Jasper County made plans to form their own organization.

Our first Executive Board Members (1945) were Vera Hetzer, Dorothy May, Rose Apple, Nita Heady, Lela Ochs, Bernie Zuber and Lucy Trimble.  In the early years, our HCE Board Members met in the Jasper County Farm Bureau on the square in downtown Newton, Illinois, and later at the newly built Farm Bureau west of Newton on South Hutton Drive.

These ladies worked very hard to pave the way for us all through the years to provide educational lessons and programs, service projects and social activities to enhance the lives of members and all in the community.

Today, our JCHCE Board meets monthly in the Sunrise Community Center in Newton, Illinois.  We continue to carry on the spirit of home and community education in our county that began many years ago.

Contact:

Judy Millsap,  millsaps@psbnewton.com    (618) 455-3584

2021 - 2022 Jasper County HCE Board Members:

  President Judy Millsap
  1st & 2nd Vice President Marlene Harris
  Secretary/Public Information Donna Richards
  Treasurer Donna Richards
  4-H, Family & Community Martha Allison
  International &
   Cultural Enrichment
Kathy Yager
  HCE Board Meetings: 3rd Monday of each month a 4:15 P.M. at the
Jasper Community Center, Newton, Illinois

Upcoming Lessons for 2022 - 2023 Year:

  September N0-Sew Crafts (for Newton Care Center & Villas of Holly Brook)
  October Dump Meals, Soups, & Desserts
  November Stuffed Stockings for Veterans
  December Christmas Party
  January Food Rescue At Home/Using Leftovers/Food Waste
  February All About Italy
  March Diet Detective: Uncovering Nutrition Myths
  April Cleaning Solutions/Homemade Cleaning Hacks
  May Pampering for a New You
  June Unit's Choice

Service Projects:

Books 4 Beginners ...  We purchase a book for each kindergartener in Jasper County. HCE members visit each class during HCE Week in October and read the book to the students. Then each kindergartener is presented with his/her own book to take home. Each classroom teacher also gets a book for the classroom. In 2021, 102 kindergarteners and 5 teachers/classrooms received a book.
Toys For Kids ...  We purchase Christmas gifts for children (age newborn to age 13) who qualify so that they may have gifts under their tree at Christmas time. In 2019, 226 children received gifts (86 families) to brighten their holidays.
$500 Scholarship to the child/grandchild of a member of Jasper County HCE. The student with the highest GPA (Grade Point Average) wins.

Fundraisers:

  March
 
Cake Roll Sales, with proceeds going to "Support of Youth Activities"  (Books for beginners and Scholarship Fund)
  October Butter Braid Sales, with the proceeds going to the "Support of Youth Activities" (Books For Beginners, Toys For Kids, Scholarship Fund, etc.)
  October & November RADA Cutlery Sales to the public with proceeds going to our Scholarship Fund.

Jasper County Units and Meeting Information:

  Smallwood
     (10 members)
Meets the 1st Thursday of each month, 11:00 A.M. at the Senior Citizen's Center in Newton, Illinois
  Sainte Marie Night
     (12 members if
        food lesson)
Meets the 1st Tuesday of each month at 7:00 P.M. in member's homes.  If the lesson is on food and a meal is planned, we meet at 6:30pm.
  Mailbox Members
     (28 members)
 

Annual Meeting of Jasper County HCE:
       The fourth Monday in April.

Annual Membership Dues:  $15.00
       Everyone, (women and men) are welcome to join a Unit or join as a Mail Box Member, which allows members to receive a monthly newsletter and lessons in addition to attending all the educational programs of their choice.

Our Mission Statement:
       Jasper County HCE enhances the lives of individuals and families through educational programs and experiences that encourage responsible leadership and service to the community.