Community Service
One of the cornerstones of the Grange at all levels is service to the communities in which Granges are located and to the nation as a whole. The Community Service program continues to be supported by the National Grange, and each year the National Grange awards certificates to all First, Second, Third and Fourth Place winners, as well as all participants in the various states.
Click here to learn more about projects that were national award winners for 2011
The Dictionary Project
The Grange is proud to support The Dictionary Project through its Word for Thirds program. Through the tireless efforts of the Grange’s network of more than 200,000 volunteers, America’s oldest rural and agriculture organization has presented third grade students across the nation with more than 500,000 dictionaries.
But, we cannot stop there! The National Grange is encouraging all Granges to present third graders in their communities with dictionaries. The Dictionary Project program packets are available to help Granges institute this program in their communities. The packets include: an instruction and presentation guide, a sample letter to send to schools, a dictionary project overview and order form, a label template, a participation form, sample press release, and sample media advisory.
Program Materials | Grange Participation
Dogs for the Deaf
The National Grange is pleased to present The Dogs for the Deaf DVD. This DVD highlights the Grange’s relationship with Dogs for the Deaf and CEO Robin Dickson’s demonstration from the 2009 National Grange Convention. The DVD is available to all Granges and Grange members and is approximately 15 minutes.
The National Grange, along with local Granges, has worked with Dogs for the Deaf for many years and this DVD expands on that relationship. The National Grange encourages you to use this as a new tool to get your Grangers involved with Dogs for the Deaf.
Please visit Dogs for the Deaf to learn more about how you can help. http://www.dogsforthedeaf.org/
Deaf Foundation
For many years the National Grange conducted an active Deaf Awareness Program which led to many valuable projects that enabled our members to learn more about deaf people and their challenges. In many cases, great relationships were also built with the deaf community. A fund was developed within the National Grange Foundation for the purpose of supporting deaf activities within the Grange. Because funds are still available, this grant program is being offered to assist states with funding various deaf awareness activities.
National Grange Deaf Awareness Grant Program Application
Gallaudet University
The Deaf Foundation endows an internship fund with Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. Gallaudet University was founded in 1864 and is one of the only universities specifically designed for deaf and hard-o -hearing students. This fund is intended to assist interns with living expenses, including transportation, housing, and meals. The internship is strictly used for career-related work activities. Example of the internships that students have participated in with our help include: the Library of Congress, the White House, and Booz Allen Hamilton. All Grange members who come to Washington, D.C. to visit Gallaudet University are encourage to visit Gallaudet, you can set up a tour by contacting the National Grange office. To learn more about Gallaudet University go to www.gallaudet.edu .
The National Foster Parent Program
The National Grange encourages the State and Local Granges to continue their involvement with the NFPA and their local foster parent organizations. NFPA supports foster parents in achieving safety, permanence, and well-being for the children and youth in their care. The National Foster Parent Association is a champion for the thousands of families that open their heart and their home to the over 400,000 children in out-of-home placement in the US. The National Grange is proud to support the NFPA by donating a quilt made from our local Granges each year for the NFPA’s annual educational conference. This year’s quilt was donated by the Eastern States Region and you can see it in this photo, which is from the 145th Annual National Grange Convention’s Celebration Banquet. This quilt will be raffled off by the NFPA in Chicago, IL at their annual educational conference. To learn more about the NFPA and how you can get involved visit http://www.nfpainc.org/.
Text4baby
As a family organization, the National Grange is proud to be supporting and spreading the word about Text4baby. Text4baby was created just over a year ago to give expectant families and new mothers health and nutritional information through the first year of the baby’s life. The U.S. ranks 29th in infant mortality, tying with Slovakia and Poland, and Text4baby is an excellent tool in helping us improve care for our most precious and vulnerable citizens. Anyone can sign up completely free using only their cell phone. Pregnant women, new moms, family members or any interested party can enroll by texting BABY to 511411. Subscribers will receive up to three free text messages each week, timed to their due date or baby’s date of birth, which will provide them with information on how to improve their health and the health of their baby. The only information interested parties need provide is their due date or their child’s birth date and their zip code. So far, over 135,000 users have signed up for this great program. Text4baby is backed by community health organizations, cell phone providers, health care providers, government health agencies, businesses, and various community organizations.
Anyone can spread the word about Text4baby by encouraging expectant families to sign up for the free service. In addition, you can add Text4baby information to your website, promote it at fairs, in your newsletters, or partner up with your local health agency or clinic. You can visit their website, www.text4baby.org, to see a list of their partners and to learn more about the program.
Lifeline Screening
The Life Line Screening Program continues to provide access to life-saving health screening to our members and hosts screening events in Grange halls wherever possible. If your Grange would like the opportunity to host please contact the National Grange.
Methamphetamine: A Menace to Rural America DVD
The National Grange Methamphetamine Education Program – “Methamphetamine – A Menace to Rural America” DVD runs about 15-20 minutes. Requesting a copy of the DVD for use in your Grange or event. Along with the DVD, the National Grange will provide a fact sheet and an article for your program.
The Distinguished Grange Program
This program honors Subordinate and State Granges that fulfill their responsibilities as part of the National Grange, while excelling in the areas of membership, fundraising, and service to their communities. The program is presented annually at the National Grange Convention. The 2011-2012 Distinguished Granges will be honored for their work done from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012. The deadline to register as a Distinguished Grange is August 3, 2012.
Click here to view Distinguished Granges Winners for 2010 and 2011
Applications are now available for 2011-2012 Distinguished Grange program
The National Grange Building DVD
The National Grange Building: 50 Years of Service DVD is in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the National Grange Building. The DVD is available to all Granges and Grange members. The DVD is approximately 20 minutes. It includes historical information about the history the National Grange Building at its current location, 1616 H St., as well as the building the Grange first purchased at 744 Jackson Place.
The National Grange Building Rededication Ceremony: The Essentials DVD
This DVD allows Grange members to experience the June 26, 2010 Rededication Ceremony of the National Grange Building. This gives all Grange members the opportunity to take a unique look at the National Grange Building. The DVD is approximately 20 minutes. It includes the rededication ceremony of the National Grange Building held at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. It also has a special features section that includes interviews of Grange members who attended the ceremony, a tour of the building from that day with the historical items on display, and a recorded interview between National Grange Master Herschel Newsom and President Dwight Eisenhower . The DVD is available to all.
Kelley Farm DVD
The DVD is approximately 15 minutes. It includes historical information about Kelley, his family and the farm. It also features a tour of the farm, the Kelley home, the fields, the gardens and the farmyard. The DVD is available to all. Please visit http://www.mnhs.org/places/sites/ohkf/aboutkelley.html to learn more about the Kelley Farm and its place in agricultural history.