Lancaster County 4-H presents a Heart of 4-H Award to a Lancaster County 4-H volunteer each month in recognition of outstanding volunteer serice. The purpose of this award is to recognize volunteers who are, indeed, the heart of 4-H.
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Deb has been a 4-H volunteer for 20 years and has helped with the Home School Express club (which had nearly 150 members) and Clover Buds club, and is currently leader of the High Flyers club. When Nebraska 4-H started the Public Service Announcement (PSA) Contest, Deb wrote introductory materials and for many years coached youth on PSAs and speeches at workshops and club meetings. In 1995, Deb wrote and produced a promotional video for 4-H Clover Buds (now called Clover Kids). As part of the Citizenship - Public Adventures 4-H project, she takes youth to the State Capitol to meet Senators, learn the legislative process, learn to speak out on issues/lobby and observe legislative debate. She has also volunteered in several 4-H areas at the Lancaster County Fair.
"I strongly believe in the educational benefit of 'learning by doing,'" says Deb. "4-H is an excellent way of enriching a child's life and education while building closer relationships with them. They also 'master' the material they are learning by putting it to use while completing projects and receiving input and rewards at the fair. My favorite experience as a 4-H volunteer was showing students they could write and speak before an audience. To see the light in their eyes and joy at their new found skill is truly rewarding."
Her clubs have put in many community service hours singing and performing at nursing homes.