Santa visits Gurney 4-H gathering

GURNEY, Wis. - Santa Claus made an early visit Saturday to begin the Christmas season at the eighth annual Gurney Gopher 4-H Club's pie social in Gurney.

About 20 children, ranging in ages for newborn babies to older kids, were able to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they wanted this holiday.

According to club leaders Jessie Bender and Amy Simonar, the event has become popular in Gurney. The event originally started as a way to "give back" to the people of Gurney, and grew from there.

"It's a way for us to give back to the people who support us," Bender said. "Now, we have people asking us all the time when we are going to have the pie social again."

Originally, the club had a few pies for residents, but soon expanded to barbecue sandwiches and other goodies.

"It was never meant to be a fundraiser," Bender said. "The whole point was community service."

A donation can is out during the social, and proceeds are used to help club members take trips through 4-H. In 2015, the money will be used to send one student to Washington, D.C., and two other students to the state 4-H conference in Madison, Wis.

"Having three out of eight club members going on a trip is a cool thing," Bender said.

According to Simonar, her favorite part each year is Santa's arrival in style.

"The kids with Santa is so cool to see, and Santa loves being here," Simonar said. "Plus, he arrives in the fire truck, which is pretty awesome."

As for 4-H, Bender and Simonar said they would recommend parents have their kids join clubs.

"I think it has taught our kids how to give back to the community," Bender said. "Also, the projects allow them to learn with kids of all ages, throughout Iron County, not just their own club. We, as parents, were all in 4-H, and that is why we continue to do it.

"For sure I would recommend it."

For more information on 4-H, call the Iron County University of Wisconsin-Extension office at 715-561-2695.