Proclamation proclaiming December 18-24, 2011 as Family and Consumers Science Week

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Family& Consumer C I E N C E S ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Proclamation Family and Consumer Sciences Week in Orange County WHEREAS, in 1911, Jane Simpson McKimmon created the home demonstration program, a "rural women's college" where women were provided an opportunity to learn skills that would provide ample food for their families, yet also provide additional income that could provide necessities for the entire family, educate the children, and buy conveniences to make life easier, affording an improved living standard for all; and WHEREAS, home demonstration evolved into Home Economics and now Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS), with a rich history of significant contributions to North Carolina's well being for over 100 years and today helps families better understand financial planning, nutrition, food safety and preparation, environmental issues, elder care and aging issues, and the need for physical activity for better health; and WHEREAS, FCS Agents, in partnership with volunteers in home demonstration clubs, now known as Extension and Community Association Clubs (ECA), started or supported many programs that are taken for granted today such as the development of rural libraries and book mobile programs; the establishment of hot lunch programs in NC rural schools; and the delivery of electrical services to rural North Carolina homes; and WHEREAS, the idea of farmers markets' and local foods originated with Home Demonstration Curb Markets in the 1920's with Jane S. McKimmon introducing the concept of women and girls selling surplus produce to supplement family income resulting in 55 home demonstration curb markets in the state by 1940 with an income of almost $1,200,000 for farm families; and WHEREAS, home demonstration club women raised more than half of the $4,000,000 needed for the renovation of the US Army hospital ship Larkspur during World War II through the sale of more than $2 million in war bonds; NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim December 18-24, 2011, as Family and Consumer Sciences Week in Orange County and urge the people of the County to make use of the extraordinary benefits of this exceptional program that enhances all aspects of the lives of individuals and families and to join us in recognizing the unique partnership between the County and the state University System. This the 13th day of December 2011. Bernadette Pelissier, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners State Unimity ' A&T State University ^ ►n+. INC STATE -��9�'etPSaN,riona �