Volunteers’ time is a huge asset in our 4-H world. Those volunteers make our job 10 times easier. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to take field trips, do project workshops, send kids to state-held events, give kids another resource to talk to and make last-minute program adjustments. We also wouldn’t have a very successful program as the volunteers are the ones that serve on our committees to make important decisions about our budget and program. They bring the real-world experience as well as another perspective into our discussions. They are so valuable to our program.

There are times that our volunteers do their “job” and do not get the proper thanks for doing it. We understand how busy everyone’s lives are and in the past few years we have realized that we do not have a special event just for those adult volunteers who spend countless hours leading our county program and their local club programs. This year was the second year that we have had a volunteer appreciation night. It is a night out, just for the 4-H adults. It is a night that 4-H gets a chance to recognize them and thank them for all that they do. The 2010 volunteer appreciation night was held on Friday, April 23, at the American Legion in Albert Lea. We had 30 adult volunteers participate in this night that was planned just for them. We provided them with a social gathering hour where they could mingle and chat with other adults to see what they do in the 4-H Program. Following that we served them supper which was followed by an entertainment hour. We had a certified laugh therapist, Vicki Snyder, come and share her insights with our volunteers. Our hope from this evening is that the volunteers take hope a piece of appreciation that we have for them. This year’s thank-you gift was a seed packet with a message that said, “thanks for sowing the seeds for Freeborn County 4-H future.”

To the 4-H volunteers who are reading this: You mean the world to us and thank you for all you do. We know that you give to the 4-H program because you want to and because of your generosity, you have helped to create a program that is among the top in the state of Minnesota. Thank you for all that you have done and for all that you will continue to do.

If anyone would like to be a volunteer with the 4-H program, please contact the Extension Office at 377-5660.

Amy Wadding is a 4-H program coordinator for Freeborn County.