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The Carlton County 4-H Federation recently packaged the donations they received from a care package drive, and also made Valentine's Day cards. The care packages and cards were sent to troops currently deployed overseas.

The federation is made up of students in sixth-grade and higher, along with 4-H volunteers. When planning the year, the members who attend federation meetings make decisions on community service and programming they would like to participate in.

"I enjoy giving the youth a chance to voice what they want to see for the year," said Katie Siltanen, Carlton County 4-H Extension educator. "In this case, one of the federation officers had asked if one of the community services could be sending care packages to troops deployed ... because her dad was deployed and (packages) cheered him up."

The federation collected more than 150 nonperishable food items, personal hygiene items and card games for troops.