Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development is proud to congratulate Lincoln County 4-H volunteer Caroline Lemke on receiving the 2015 National 4-H Salute to Excellence Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award. The award recognizes 4-H volunteers around the country who have given more than 10 years to 4-H and had a great impact on the lives of youth and the strength of the 4-H program in their area.
Caroline has been a volunteer in Lincoln County 4-H Youth Development for more than 55 years, including 31 years as an organizational leader. Caroline’s focus on youth leadership and service have changed the Lincoln County 4-H program. Caroline was one of the first members of the Lincoln County 4-H Leaders Association Board of Directors to welcome the involvement of older youth on the board.
Caroline also shepherded many local service projects through the process, helping youth learn how to identify community needs, make connections with partners and complete service activities. Under her leadership, the Lincoln County Hi-Los 4-H Club has built display racks for a library and a wheelchair ramp at the Historical Society, sewed pillow cases for an area homeless shelter, beautified the community through landscaping projects, and more.
“Our club is truly blessed to have Caroline as our leader,” says Lincoln County Hi-Los member Heidi Massa. “The vast amount of knowledge she possesses, along with her eagerness to share it, make her such a valuable asset to the learning experiences of our members…Personally, Caroline has been my project leader in knitting, crocheting, and canning. I could not have asked for a better teacher or companion in my learning journey for these projects.”
Volunteers are a key part of Wisconsin 4-H Youth Development; it would be impossible to deliver high-quality 4-H programming without the help of more than 16,000 adult volunteers around the state. Learn more about becoming a 4-H volunteer at http://fyi.uwex.edu/wi4hvolunteers/.