By By Patty Swearingen / MUS Extension Service County Director
June 13, 2004
We are, once again, looking for those of you who love to sew. The Master Clothing Volunteer program is a great way to learn more about sewing and give of your time to help others.
Volunteers needed
What is master clothing volunteer or MCV? It is a person experienced in sewing who has completed advanced training and, in turn, shares his/her skills and knowledge with others.
The Master Clothing Volunteer program is another outlet for advancing the goals of the Mississippi State University Extension Service in local communities.
What else can a master clothing volunteer do besides sew? Clothing is the focal point of MCV, yet being a volunteer encompasses much more than teaching sewing classes.
Currently, there are more than 100 MCV members in the state. During the year, they receive updates on consumer economics and sewing information. Becoming a member of a working team provides a valuable service to the people of the community.
Other benefits to master clothing volunteers include gaining work experience, developing skills in teaching adults and/or youth and working effectively with groups. One of the greatest rewards is developing leadership skills. MCV members gain confidence and experience success in all facets of the program.
Topics to discuss
Topics cover teaching techniques, program planning and implementation, resource development, sewing techniques, current products and resources. MSU Extension Service specialists and volunteers will conduct the training.
Upon completion of the training, each master clothing volunteer will receive a plaque.
The MCV will provide 40 hours of educational service in clothing construction to the community within one year of the training.
This service is not limited to sewing classes. It may include events such as judging youth fashion revues or presenting clothing exhibits. Yes, MCV members are doing more than sewing. Even when they are teaching sewing, they are also teaching other valuable life skills. Who knows? With the master clothing volunteers active in our community, we may see some new entrepreneurs develop.
If you would like to apply, call or go by your local county office and ask for the Master Clothing Volunteer program application form.
Five a Day' keeps cancer away
This weekend has been filled with Relay for Life activities. It has made us very aware of the risk factors for cancer. It is important to remember the following:
Diet is ranked second only to smoking as a controllable factor linked to cancer. The American Institute for Cancer Prevention says eating right, staying physically active and maintaining a healthy weight can cut the risk of cancer by 30 percent to 40 percent.
Recommended dietary choices coupled with not smoking have the potential to reduce cancer risk by 60 percent to 70 percent.
As many as 375,000 cases of cancer, at current cancer rates, could be prevented each year in this nation through healthy dietary choices.
Eating at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day could, by itself, reduce cancer rates more than 20 percent.