COLUMBIA, Mo. – During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 16-22, 2023, Missouri 4-H wants to thank the heart of the organization, the volunteers! Each year, thousands of people choose to spend their time volunteering for Missouri 4-H, and because of their efforts 4-H can provide a wide variety of opportunities for Missouri’s youth.

“The amount of care and time our volunteers give to our organization each year is staggering,” says Lupita Fabregas, director of the University of Missouri Extension 4-H Center for Youth Development. “We have deep gratitude for their commitment to serve as mentors, teachers and guides for our youth as they find their spark.”

Each year, 4-H specialists in each county can nominate volunteers for the Frank Graham Volunteer Leadership Award, given by the Missouri 4-H Center for Youth Development, and the Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award, given by the Missouri 4-H Foundation.

The Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award recognizes exceptional volunteers and organizations that have made notable contributions to 4-H youth. The award is named for Naomi Mohler Crouch in remembrance of her dedication to the youth of Missouri. Crouch served as a Missouri 4-H Foundation trustee and Chair and was a Clay County 4-H parent and volunteer.

This year there were three awards given: Brian McKimmey was recognized for more than 16 years of service and support to 4-H in Polk and Laclede counties; the Vernon County 4-H Alumni Association was recognized for more than 11 years of service and support to 4-H; and Emily Bergsieker was recognized for more than 13 years of service and support to 4-H in Lafayette County.

The Frank Graham 4-H Volunteer Leadership award recognizes exemplary volunteers for their hard work and dedication to helping Missouri youths grow. It is named for Frank Graham, who served as director of Missouri 4-H from 1958 to 1975. During his 33 years of service, Graham was an avid supporter of volunteer leadership, believing that volunteers are the foundation of the 4-H program.

“It is an honor to provide these outstanding volunteers with this recognition in honor of the late Frank Graham, also known as Mr. 4-H,” Fabregas said. “These volunteers have demonstrated loyalty and skills in developing youth as leaders of today, and we are very lucky to have them.”

This year, Missouri 4-H has recognized 13 Frank Graham Volunteer Leadership Award winners:

• Deb Hahs, Bollinger County
• Theresa Shettlesworth, Boone County
• Doris M. Koch, Franklin County
• Jim Sontheimer, Greene County
• Gladys Kalwei, Henry County
• Craig Rodekohr, Lafayette County
• Angela Helton, Macon County
• John and Bridget Cobb, Montgomery County
• Jennifer Barber, Newton County
• Ted Perry, Ray County
• Clark Gafke, St. Charles County
• Crystal Burch, Vernon County

For more information on the Frank Graham Volunteer Leadership Award, go to http://muext.us/FrankGrahamAward.

For more information on the Naomi Crouch 4-H Volunteer Leadership Award, go to http://muext.us/NaomiCrouchAward.

About Misouri 4-H

Missouri 4-H is an active, dynamic organization of young people who are learning, growing and preparing to be the leaders of today and tomorrow – making a real difference in their community, country and world. 4-H is the youth development program of the University of Missouri and the nation’s Cooperative Extension System. For more information, visit 4h.missouri.edu.

About the Missouri 4-H Foundation

The Missouri 4-H Foundation is the independent philanthropic partner of the University of Missouri Extension 4-H Center for Youth Development. For more than 70 years, the foundation has secured and managed funds for Missouri 4-H, providing higher education scholarships, recognizing 4-H volunteers, and supporting the work of MU Extension 4-H. Learn more at 4h.missouri.edu/foundation.