4-H volunteers are a special group of people. Pinellas County is lucky to count over 100 dedicated 4-H volunteers. These volunteers serve as 4-H Leaders, Foundation or Advisory Council members, event judges, and office assistants. Some are new volunteers who have just signed up this year and others have volunteered for many years. We have one 4-H leader who has served for thirty-six years!
This Friday, on June 11 at 6:30, Pinellas County 4-H will honor 4-H volunteers at the annual dinner. Volunteer leaders receive their year pins and everyone attending is recognized for their contributions to the program. Those volunteers who have gone above and beyond may receive recognition through the “Head, Heart, Hands, Health and Spirit Awards”. These awards follow the camp tradition of awarding the top campers who exemplify the core 4-H values. In addition, the 4-H Rookie, Volunteer and Leader of the Year are also announced.
Going above and beyond is quite a feat because 4-H volunteers are quite a dedicated group. In a survey done of 4-H Leaders the response to the question:
“What would cause you to stop volunteering for 4-H?”, the number one response was “death”!
The second most frequent response was “physical impairment”.
Another study found that the motivation of 4-H volunteers is that they believe in the value of the 4-H program and want to be a part of it.
It is no wonder that 4-H volunteers are the reason that the 4-H Program is what it is today and has made such an impact in our communities.

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