September 2006
Heart of 4-H Award Winners

Karen & Joel Armstrong

Lancaster County 4-H is proud to announce Karen and Joel Armstrong as co-winners of September’s “Heart of 4-H Award” in recognition of outstanding volunteer service.

The Armstrongs have volunteered for 4-H for nearly 10 years. Karen has been organizational leader of the Star City Llamas club for five years. They have led the llama club in numerous community service activities such as:

• visiting schools and churches -- often tying llamas in with South American studies

• visiting retirement homes and the Madonna Alzheimer Unit

• participating in the annual Star City Parade — includes designing costumes for 4-H members and llamas, as well as floats (the manure wagon is lavishly decorated to disguise its function)

• pairing with Waverly FFA to set up a petting zoo   at the Camp Creek Threshers Show and All 4 Kidz Expo.

“I like being a 4-H volunteer because of the great kids and involved families,” says Karen. “Plus the extension office is great to work with. My favorite experience is seeing faces light up in young and old alike when my kids share their animal projects.”

The Armstrongs’ two daughters, Rebecca and Kacy, were active 4-H members (both are now in college). The Armstrongs are special event photographers and have taken photographs at many 4-H events -- see their Web site at www.vantageimaging.com. They belong to the Nebraska Llama Association and have helped at national llama shows.

Congratulations to the Armstrongs! Volunteers like them are indeed the heart of 4-H!

If you have a 4-H Volunteer you would like to nominate or would like to learn more about the "Heart of 4-H Award", visit HERE.

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