National Volunteer Week Recognizes Rockwall County Volunteers

Rockwall County 4-H Volunteer Robert Adams was recognized for his service during Tuesday’s Commissioners Court meeting.

(ROCKWALL, TX – April 10, 2019) Each year, thousands of 4-H volunteers donate their time and energy to make their communities a better place to live. These volunteers will be among the millions across the country who are being spotlighted during the 43rd anniversary of National Volunteer Week, April 7-13, 2019.

Research conducted by the Corporation for National and Community Service found that 25.3% of adult Americans (62.8 million) volunteered 7.9 billion hours of service worth $184 billion in 2014. In 2018, more than 27,000 adult and youth volunteers contributed countless hours in various capacities to the 4-H youth in their Texas communities. Both youth and adults serve as club leaders, project leaders, committee members, and in advisory capacities for the 4-H Youth Development Program in 2019.

Rockwall County volunteers spend numerous hours working on tasks, such as helping organize the annual Rockwall Youth Fair, helping children with Rockwall County 4-H projects such as photography, archery, and livestock, and leading projects to serve the community. 4-H volunteers are just one group of volunteers who are instrumental in carrying out the mission of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Volunteers are involved in every aspect of the Extension Service, including determining the needs of the local residents, planning and implementing programs to address needs, secure resources, and evaluate programs. These volunteers work with the 4-H & Youth Development Program, horticulture programs through certified Master Gardeners, program area committees, and teachers from local schools.

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service would like to express our gratitude for the countless hours these outstanding individuals provide! We are grateful for such a wonderful group who supports and promotes the agency and its clientele. No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted (Aesop).

If you are interested in joining our team of Extension volunteers, please contact the Rockwall County A&M AgriLife Extension Office at (Phone: 972.204.7660, Website: rockwall.agrilfe.org, or Email: rockwall-tx@ag.tamu.edu). Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides equal opportunities in its programs and employment to all persons, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas cooperate to bring Extension to every county in Texas.

Adapted from article written by: Mary Jo Williams, State 4-H Youth Development Specialist, University of Missouri. Submitted by Dr. Aimee Sandifeer, Rockwall County Extension Agent.