Rooted in tradition, driven by service: OHCE Week brings communities to life

Rooted in tradition, driven by service: OHCE Week brings communities to life

Monday, April 21, 2025

Media Contact: Gail Ellis | Editorial Communications Coordinator | 405-744-9152 | gail.ellis@okstate.edu

Oklahoma Home and Community Educationmembers across the state will celebrate OHCE Week May 4-10, highlighting their dedication to community service, education and fellowship. 

With nearly 3,000 members across Oklahoma, OHCE groups partner with Oklahoma State University and OSU Extensionto strengthen families and communities through service and lifelong learning. The annual OHCE Week spotlights its efforts to support residents in creative and meaningful ways. 

"OHCE is a wonderful organization that gives back to its communities," said Suzette Barta, OSU Extension coordinator for community engagement in the College of Education and Human Sciences. "I would love to see people check them out, see what they're doing, and think about how they might get involved." 

Many OHCE groups will start their celebrations by meeting county commissioners for official OHCE Week proclamation signings, a long-standing tradition to recognize their contributions. In several counties, OHCE members bring homemade pies and cakes to share with their local officials, a gesture that is just as beloved as it is delicious. 

This year, Bryan County OHCE will host a cultural celebration highlighting Native American heritage. In partnership with the Choctaw Cultural Center, the event will feature a fry bread cooking lesson, Indian tacos and a ribbon skit fashion show and contest. Bryan County will also award two scholarships during OHCE Week. 

Other counties are celebrating OHCE Week in unique ways:

Bryan County 

• Cultural Awareness Celebration: Native American Culture - May 7, 10-2 p.m. at the Clay Jones Community Building in Durant. The event will feature demonstrations by the Choctaw Cultural Center, fry bread making, Indian tacos, a ribbon skirt fashion show and contest, and the awarding of two OHCE scholarships. It is open to the public. 

Canadian County 

• Spring Council Meeting - May 6 at 10 a.m. at Mustang Town Center, 1201 N. Mustang Rd, Mustang. 

Cherokee County 

• Native Storyteller & Bead Craft Workshop - May 8 at 6:30 p.m. 

• Members and guests will leave the OSU Extension Office at 1475 North Douglas Avenue and travel to Rose, Oklahoma, to the Saline Cherokee Courthouse to tour the facility and art display. Group lunch at Country Cottage in Locust Grove. 

Cleveland County 

• Quilt and Textiles Show: May 9 from 9 to 4 and May 10 from 9 to 3 at the Sooner Mall in Norman.

Dewey County 

• Camargo OHCE Club 100th Anniversary Reception - May 4, 2-4 p.m. at the South Canadian Neighbors Community Center, 106 4thStreet, Camargo

• Countywide activities: Coloring contests for elementary students and OHCE displays in local stores, senior centers, the courthouse, and Extension office. 

Lincoln County 

• Agra OHCE: Annual Bake Sale

• May 9, 6:30 a.m. until sold out. It is on Highway 18 between the gas station and the Agra Post Office. 

• Chandler PM OHCE & Wellston OHCE

• Countywide: Lion's Club Luncheon - May 8, noon-1 p.m., 614 Manvel Ave., Chandler. 

• Karaoke Night - May 8, 5-7 p.m. at the American Legion Pavilion, 808 Legion Ave, Chandler. 

• Courthouse Refreshments - May 9, 9-11 a.m. at Lincoln County Courthouse, 811 Manvel Ave., Chandler. 

• Prague OHCE: Make-and-take Craft Event - May 9, 1-4 p.m. at Prague Park Pavilion, US-62, Prague. $5 per item covers supply costs. 

Major County 

• Annual OHCE Tea - Tuesday, May 6 at 6 p.m., Major County Fairgrounds Exhibit Building in Fairview. This year's theme is literacy.  

Pottawatomie County 

• Community Donation Drive - May 8, 2-5 p.m. at Citizen Potawatomi Nation South Union Hall, 1702 Gordon Cooper Dr., Shawnee. Supporting Legacy Parenting, Project Safe, Youth and Family Services, and Project Gabrielle.

Sequoyah County

• Intermediate Quilt Block Class/Membership Drive - May 8 at 10 a.m. Guests are invited to attend the monthly meeting, followed by a potluck lunch. After lunch, guests will visit various stations to complete a quilt block.

Mildred Taylor, OHCE state president, emphasized that for many members, OHCE is about improving communities through education, volunteerism and simple acts of kindness. 

"OHCE is an avenue for giving back to my community," she said. "It's about taking care of each other and serving those who may have less." 

Taylor, who has been a member for more than 20 years, hopes that others will experience the heart of the organization during OHCE Week. 

"I hope people see the good that we're doing and want to be part of something outside of themselves," she said. 

In 2024, Barta said OHCE members contributed more than $6 million in combined donations and the estimated value of their volunteer service across Oklahoma communities. 

"That's an incredible impact," she said. "It shows just how much these members care about their neighbors and how dedicated they are to making a difference." 

For those interested in joining OHCE or starting a group in their county, contact the local OSU Extension officefor more information.

Story By: Jacy Gehlsen | jacy.gehlsen@okstate.edu