The Greenwood County Extension office would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our wonderful volunteers during National Volunteer Week! Without their support, experience, and guidance, it would be impossible to provide the programming for producers and especially 4-H youth that we do. Data shows that volunteers donate an average of nine hours per month, or an estimated 695,736 hours annually to the Kansas 4-H youth program. Findings also indicate that the value of one volunteer hour in the United States is $29.95. That would add up to an annual contribution of $20.8 million to the Kansas 4-H program. Last year, K-State Research and Extension reported that volunteers, across all programing areas, gave 309,345 hours of their time to programs carried out across the state. The equivalent value of that time is more than $8.8 million across the state and programs. These statistics can help us show the impact volunteers have on the 4-H program, but can never truly grasp the passion these volunteers have for donating their time and helping to develop our leaders of tomorrow. Volunteers give their time, talents and energy to the 4-H program and serve as primary ambassadors to our program doing work such as talking about he importance of 4-H, recruiting new youth and volunteers and growing community partnerships. Most importantly, volunteers help youth gain learning and leadership skills as they prepare for careers and engage in communities.
Not only are volunteers important for our youth, but they also impact the communities where they live and work. Their value goes beyond the scope of the program and leads to changes in community conditions. Volunteers impact communities in four main ways: by making communities stronger, by connecting communities, by improving the health of communities and by increasing civic involvement. Research also shows that volunteers personally benefit from their involvement in the 4-H program. Volunteers come into the 4-H program hoping to support youth and make a difference, but they also gain skills in teaching, leadership and communication. These skills transfer to other environments in which volunteers work and live.
Our wonderful Greenwood County volunteers include, but are never limited to the Extension Council made up of our Program Development Committees, 4-H Foundation, 4-H Club and Project leaders, 4-H Fair judges, and County Fair Superintendents. Thank you for your support, devotion, guidance and the time you spend with our youth!
For information regarding upcoming programs, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H Youth Development or K-State Research and Extension call the office at 620-583-7455, email me, Ben Sims, at [email protected] or stop by the office which is located inside the courthouse. Be sure to follow K-State Research and Extension- Greenwood County on Facebook for the most up-to-date information on Extension education programs and the Greenwood County 4-H program.
