4-H Volunteer Banquet and Award Winners – Mahoning County Extension

Mahoning County Extension held their annual 4-H Volunteer Banquet and Awards Ceremony on the evening of Thursday, October 19^th. Many 4-H volunteers and alumni were present to be recognized for all their dedication and support of the Mahoning County 4-H program. “Our volunteers spend many hours, many dollars, and a lot of time and energy to a job where they are paid in watching the accomplishments of our youth. We want to thank our volunteers for caring about our youth, for wanting our youth to be the best they can be and thank them for preparing our youth for their future.” shared 4-H Educator Beth Smith.

In addition to the message of appreciation to volunteers, there were three awards presented at the Volunteer Banquet including the “Friends of 4-H Award”, “Business Friend of 4-H”, and the “4-H Alumni Award”.

The individual Friend of 4-H Award recognized two individuals this year, both of which are Fair Board members who represent the Junior Fair: Bob Jarvis and Ward Campbell. They both do a lot of behind the scenes work that many of us never see. Many of those hours are spent planning in addition to the physical labor provided to ensure that our youth have a great experience at the fair. They help to put a smile on our youth’s face at the end of a show day.

The second award is the “Business Friend of 4-H”, and this award is given to an individual and a business who have partnered with our Mahoning County 4-H Program to help our youth make the Best even Better. This year’s recipient was A La Cart Catering who partners with Mahoning Couty 4-H on many occasions. “They are incredibly easy to work with and always willing to take on any of our events. A La Cart owner Shelley Criswell does her best to ensure that our events have incredible food, incredible service, and for a very reasonable price.” 4-H Educator Beth Smith attests to.

The last award recognizes the inspiration our 4-H alumnus give to both volunteers and 4-Hers to “Make the Best Better.” The “4-H Alumni Award” was presented to Brandon Benson for giving back so enthusiastically to the organization he grew up in. He is always willing to help in any way he can to ensure our youth have the same great experience that he had in 4-H. He takes a day off work to run around the Event Center during project judging and ensure our participants have a great judging experience. He helps the Alumni in the Little Red Barn during the fair with their set up and t-shirt sales.

The evening concluded with recognition of the Years of Service pins presented to 4-H Volunteers who have served youth all year long. A special acknowledgement was provided to those who have served 4-H for milestone years including:

• 20 years of service for Annie Moore of Springfield Booster Boys, Dean Ritchie of Mahoning County Barnstormers, and Patricia VanDyke of Just Chancin’ It
• 25 years of Service for Sam Detwiler of Millcreek Marksmen, Ray Gatrell of Mahoning County Rabbitears, and Kelly King of Country Kids & Kritters.
• 30 Years of service for Jamie Pierce of Village Varieties
• 35 years of service for Karen and Bob Day of Western Reserve Rangers, Darla King of Country Kids & Kritters, Linda Reel of Pocket Pets, and Galen Rice of Millcreek Marksmen
• 40 Years for Shari Yuhas of Youngstown Tailwaggers
• 45 years of service for Terri Dance of 4-H’ers Unlimited
• Additional recognition was provided to those advisors with over 50 years of service: 54 years for Kathleen Moser of Western Reserve Rangers and 56 years of service for Charles Withers of Greenford Silver Spurs and Jan Moser of Western Reserve Rangers

4-H is about “learning by doing” and these volunteers help to teach the lessons that these 4-Hers will use for a lifetime. Volunteers are vital to the overall success of our Mahoning County 4-H Program because it is the volunteers guiding that experience for our youth. They give of their time, talent, and sometimes finances to support the 4-H members. They provide information, opportunity, and encouragement to guide our youth through their projects and beyond and instilling life skills in the youth of leadership, collaboration, confidence, curiosity and creativity. These skills help the youth thrive today and tomorrow and make them an active participant in their own future and in our communities.