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.
See All Heart of 4-H Winners
Shirley has been a 4-H volunteer for 22 years (and former 4-H'er for 10 years). She is currently co-leader of the Pet Pals 4-H Club and co-superintendent of the Household Pet Show at the Lancaster County Fair. She is a regular presenter at 4-H Clover College and earth wellness festival. Other volunteer duties have included: 4-H Council member, 4-H recruiter, key leader, County Fair 4-H judge, and county & district record-book awards judge. Previous clubs she has been involved with are Number One 4-H Club, Critter Sitters, and Salt Valley Clovers.
"I like working with youth people and animals, and I think 4-H is a wonderful program for teaching life skills while making the learning process fun," says Shirley. "My favorite experience is teaching 4-H'ers new skills and seeing their pride in their accomplishments. I especially enjoy visiting with former 4-H'ers and seeing how they have begun successful careers built in part on the skills they gained in 4-H."
Shirley lives in Lincoln with husband Jim. Their children Micki and Mike are 10-year 4-H alumni. Shirley enjoys putting her 4-H skills to use and enters baking, candy-making, needlework, horticulture and photography exhibits in Open Class at the County and State Fair – she has earned more than 300 ribbons and prizes!