DODGE COUNTY 4-H JOINS NATIONAL VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION WEEK
National Volunteer Appreciation Week is 4/21-4/27. National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest challenges, to build stronger communities and be a force that transforms the world. Each year, National Volunteer Appreciation Week shines a light on the people and causes that inspire us to serve, recognizing and thanking volunteers who lend their time, talent and voice to make a difference in their communities.
“On behalf of Division of Extension Dodge County and Dodge County 4-H, I would like to take this time to say thank you to the over 100 volunteers in the Dodge County 4-H program,” said Marie Witzel, Dodge County 4-H Youth Development Educator.
National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 and has grown exponentially each year, with thousands of volunteer projects and special events scheduled throughout the week. Today, as people strive to lead lives that reflect their values, the expression of civic life has evolved. Whether online, at the office, or the local food bank; whether with a vote, a voice, or a wallet – doing good comes in many forms, and Dodge County 4-H recognizes and celebrates them all.
“Wisconsin 4-H has a deep history of developing life skills in youth,” said Witzel. “Young people develop leadership, citizenship, and community engagement through 4-H. Covid created more of a challenge since many programs were virtual, but 4-H members and leaders have thrived and persevered and have been able to share across the state.”
“But 4-H is not only for youth,” Witzel added. “It’s for adults who, as volunteer leaders, can share their skills and expertise with young people. These adults are the positive role models for young people in their communities”. The caring support of adult volunteers and mentors inspires young people in 4-H to work collaboratively, take the lead on their own projects and set and achieve goals with confidence. 4-H’ers chart their own course, explore important issues and define their place in the world.
It is through this network of volunteer leaders, state land-grant universities, state and local governments, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, that 4-H has been able to stimulate youth to develop life skills.
In Dodge County, over 100 adult volunteer leaders work with 619 youth from kindergarten to one year beyond high school in 22 4-H clubs throughout the county. Programs are conducted in 3,100 counties nationwide. In addition, some 50 countries around the globe enroll a community of 7 million youth in programs similar to 4-H.
For more information on 4-H, contact the Extension Dodge County Office at 920-386-3790 or visit https://dodge.extension.wisc.edu/
