4-H thanks its volunteers
University of Illinois Extension 4-H Youth Development program takes the opportunity of National Volunteer Week April 18-24 to thank its more than 23,600 4-H adult and youth volunteers who guide and support 268,000 4-H members in Illinois.
National Volunteer Week is a service of the Points of Light Foundation and the Hands-On Network. This year's theme is "Celebrating People in Action!" This week is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek ways to engage in their community. 4-H volunteers are actively engaged in their communities, impacting the lives of Illinois youth by sharing their time and talents through 4-H clubs, special interest groups, after-school programs, camps, and short term groups.
Today's 4-H youth are engaged in learning activities in the three mission mandate areas of civic engagement/leadership, healthy lifestyles, and science, engineering, and technology.
In Kane County, there are 389 volunteers who are inspiring youth involved in county and local 4-H club programs. 4-H clubs and their organizational leaders include: 4-H Academy led by Sabrina Martin and Andrea Plamandon; A Bit More led by Melissa Daufenbach and Deb Jenson; Big Rock Cowhands led by Darrin and Linda Ott; Blackberry Rangers led by Dawn Horvath and Becky Willis; Burlington Ag led by Michele Horton; Campton 4H led by Valerie Lannoye and Sharon Shimko; Central Wranglers led by Jackie and Jerry Parisek; Fabulous 4-H led by Leesa Urben and Laura Riva; Fantastics 4-H led by Darice Augustine and Jill Schildmeyer; Fox Valley Saddle N Spur led by Lisa Barbrey; Go-Getters 4-H led by Mary Bicek and Kara Okerblad; Groovy Clovers led by Jill Dieckhoff and Marcia Mann; Hampshire Jr. Farmers led by Marilyn Becker; Kaneville Classics led by Karen Flamand and Kim Wendling; Lincoln Highway led by Kim Halverson; Mooseheart 4-H led by Brad Kriegel and Janine Silverman; The Challengers led by Sarah Holmberg and Carol McKellar; Westdel led by Nancy Haire; Bucket of Bolts led by Colleen Lewis; RoboWarriors led by Anne Herrmann; and Timber Trails Hikers led by Denise DeGuzman.
Other volunteers serve on the local Extension Council, 4-H Foundation, Fair Committee and Fair Superintendents, Blue Ribbon Sale, Ambassadors, Dog Committee, and Horse Committee as well as other project/activity committees. 4-H volunteers are encouraging youth by supporting educational activities such as project workshops, judging contests, fair exhibitions, and community service projects. Through these activities 4-H members learn leadership, citizenship, and life skills.
There are several options for short or long-term volunteer service with Illinois 4-H Program. To become involved as a new volunteer with University of Illinois 4-H Youth Development program, please contact the University of Illinois Extension, Kane County office at (630) 584-6166. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Information is also available on the State 4-H Web site at www.4-h.uiuc.edu.
4-H is the largest out-of-school education youth program in the United States. 4-H seeks to assist youth in acquiring knowledge, forming attitudes and developing life skills that enable them to become caring, competent and contributing members of society. In Illinois over 268,000 youth participate in University of Illinois Extension 4-H clubs and programs. More than 23,600 adult volunteers assist in programming for the youth. For information about 4-H in Illinois, visit web.extension.uiuc.edu/state4h/.