University of Illinois Extension – Lake County, 100 S. U.S. Hwy 45, Grayslake, IL 60030
Contact:
Phone:
E-Mail:
Date:
Nancy Johannsen
847-223-8627
njohanns@uiuc.edu
April 17, 2008
“Extension Celebrates National Volunteer Week with Recognition Event”
During National Volunteer Week, April 27-May 3, 2008 special recognition is
being given to volunteers who contribute their time, expertise and energies to
University of Illinois Extension. More than 400 volunteers work on behalf of
Extension in Lake County. The national theme, “Inspire By Example” sets the
stage for local and national organizations not only to applaud the efforts of
volunteers but also to encourage others to get involved in helping strengthen
their communities. National Volunteer Week began in 1974, when President
Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing an annual celebration
of volunteering. Every president since has signed a proclamation promoting
the week. National Volunteer Week is a way of saying ‘Thank you!’ to the
selfless men, women, and young people who embody the American spirit of
reaching out to one another.
In celebration of the National Volunteer Week, University of Illinois Extension
is recognizing two volunteers for giving decades of their lives to service
through churches, community clubs and Extension. June Jaros, Wadsworth
and Betty Ogden, Salem, WI are being honored with the 75+ Extension
Lifetime Achievement awards. Both women are more than 75 years of age –
criteria for being nominated. They dedicated their earlier years to working
with youth and later in life have daily commitments to those in need.
Extension volunteers are making a difference in the lives of others. They
determine the informal educational needs of Lake County residents, plan
programs, secure resources, answer gardening questions, teach youth life
skills through demonstration projects or leading others through community
service projects. They are the Extension Council, Extension Foundation,
Master Gardeners, 4-H Leaders and project leaders, judges and the Lake
County Association for Home and Community Education, or “Friends” who
give endless hours to the Extension mission of “helping put knowledge to
work.”
Independent Sector announces that the 2007 estimate for the value of a
volunteer hour has reached $19.51. Extension volunteers donated in excess
of 15,000 hours with a value of $292,650 in the 2006-07 program year.
“Quantifying the value of their time gives us yet another indicator of how
important volunteers are to Extension in Lake County”, comments Kay Doll,
Lake County Extension Director. “The value of volunteer time and National
Volunteer Week provide the opportunity to acknowledge the millions of
individuals who dedicate their time, talents, and energy to making a
difference.”
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