HUDSON, N.Y. — Jessie Shields Recognized with Dot Ball Memorial 4-H Leader Award. This National Volunteer Week, April 19-25, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia & Greene Counties looks to recognize those who volunteer in the 4-H club program.
Jessie Shields, a Hannacroix resident, has been selected to receive the Dot Ball Memorial 4-H Leader Award from Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties’ 4-H Youth Development Program.
This award is presented in the memory of Dorothy Ball, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 89. Wanting to help her children and other neighborhood children, Dorothy started a 4-H club in 1954, the West Copake Lassies, which she led for twenty years. After that she continued to support 4-H as a public presentation and county fair judge for an additional twenty years.
Jessie has been the volunteer leader of her community 4-H club, the Bananas, for eleven years. Along with this she also volunteers to co-lead the Teen Ambassador 4-H Club.
Jessie is the most gracious individual who is always willing to help – without ever being asked. She has opened her heart and her 4-H club to all ages and all needs in youth. She strives to help every single child in her 4-H club to be the best they can be – to participate as fully as they can.
Beyond her local 4-H club Jessie volunteers often for local 4-H volunteer assignments. She can be found as a driver to a 4-H activity and as a chaperone to the Cornell Career Explorations trip, 4-H Forestry Weekend or the New York State Fair. Last year she volunteered to ensure that local 4-H members’ exhibits chosen for state fair were able to be on display there when the loss of a 4-H staff person left it in question.
“Jessie is the person that, no matter how busy she is or how much she has going on in her personal life, she will always try to find a way to help. She is that quintessential volunteer that is always there!”, shared Linda Tripp, 4-H Youth Development Issue Leader.
In recognition of this award Jessie was presented with a gift certificate to one of her favorite local restaurants where she can enjoy a night out (hopefully without the kids).
Also recognized are 4-H club leaders who have attained five-year increments of active involvement. They received award pins and certificates at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties Annual Meeting in November 2019. They are:
Five year silver award – Alan Chittenden , Schodack Landing, Farm Friends 4-H Club; Billy Greer, Kira Greer, North Chatham and Siobhan Connally, Kinderhook, Baker’s Dozen 4-H Club; Jeannie Slater, Ancram, Barn Buddies 4-H Club; John Brady, Valatie, Black Sheep 4-H Club; Kathy Jackson, Athens, Evarts Engineers and Evarts Scientists 4-H Clubs; Leslie Reed, Athens, Greene Earth 4-H Club.
Ten year gold award – Andrew Tillman, Nassau, Buccaneers 4-H Club; Cindy Carlson, South Cairo, Flora and Fauna 4-H Club; Helen Brady, Valatie, Black Sheep 4-H Club; Karen Gilligan, East Chatham, Farm Friends 4-H Club.
Fifteen year pearl award – Lisa Lafferty, Schodack Landing, Farm Friends 4-H Club; Mary Hallenbeck, Claverack, Country Kids 4-H Club; Rebecca Johnk, Greenville, Medway Mountaineers 4-H Club.
Twenty year diamond award – Sandy Muller, Cairo, Flora and Fauna 4-H Club.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities. The programs provided by this organization are partially funded by monies received from the Counties of Columbia and Greene.
4-H is New York’s only youth development program directly connected to the technological advances and the latest research at Cornell University. 4-H participants learn leadership, citizenship and life skills through hands-on projects in three primary program areas: science and technology; healthy living; and citizenship. To find out more about 4-H and youth programs in Columbia and Greene Counties, contact us at 518-828-3346 or Columbiagreene@cornell.edu or visit our website, www.ccecolumbiagreene.org . You can also “Like” us on Facebook…Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties.
–Linda Tripp, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia and Greene Counties