Former President Bill Clinton once said, “Volunteering is an act of heroism on a grand scale. And it matters profoundly. It does more than help people beat the odds; it changes the odds.”
4-H volunteers across the state of Ohio continue to give of their time, energy and talents to support young people as they grow and learn so that they may contribute in a positive manner in our society. Without local volunteers, 4-H programs would not be nearly as successful.
Volunteering for 4-H continues to be an important component to successful programs and continued growth. Nationally, 65 million adults volunteer, with over 550,000 volunteering their time on a yearly basis with 4-H programs in rural, suburban and urban centers. Not only does the 4-H program benefit, but the volunteers as well. It also provides opportunities for youth to develop skills, older Americans to remain healthy by being active and connected to their community, and adults to share their professional and work expertise.
Nationally, there are over six million young people in the 4-H program. The Ohio 4-H program has over 216,000 members and continues to grow by engaging more youth and adults from all communities across the state. While the target audience of this organization is youth, the 4-H program functions and operates due, in large part, to the efforts of countless volunteers.
According to statistics from the state 4-H office, over 17,800 adult and teen volunteers serve the Ohio 4-H Program each year. Volunteers include 4-H club advisors, special interest leaders, 4-H council members, project committee members, after-school volunteers, Cloverbud leaders, international coordinators, fundraisers, and a host of others.
Locally, Nadine Fogt, the Fayette County 4-H Youth Development educator, points out some 4-H volunteer statistics. According to Fogt, more than 160 volunteers worked together to deliver the 4-H Program to more than 800 youth last year in Fayette County.
“4-H could not function without the efforts of the volunteer staff,” Fogt said.
For more information on becoming a 4-H volunteer, contact the Fayette County OSU Extension Office at 740-335-1150.
