This week the LaPorte County Purdue Extension is celebrating the volunteers that are instrumental in carrying out the mission of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. Volunteers are involved in every aspect of the Extension Service, including determining the needs of the local residents, planning and implementing programs to address these needs, securing resources, and evaluating programs in areas of 4-H, Ag & Natural Resources, Community Development, and Health and Human Sciences.
Their volunteers will be among the millions across the country who will be spotlighted during the 50th anniversary of National Volunteer Week, April 21-27, 2024.
“We are appreciative of all of our volunteers that spend hours to help develop our local community. The volunteers have been dedicated to Purdue Extension’s program areas, 4-H Youth Development, Health and Human Sciences, Ag and Natural Resources, and Community Development. We thank you for your commitment to our future generations” Kelsey Guadarrama, 4-H Youth Development Educator and County Extension Director. We couldn’t do what we do without all of them along with our Extension Board which consists of 16 volunteers and appointed county officials who work with the county Extension staff to plan and oversee Extension activities.
In LaPorte County, 241 adult volunteers, are serving as club leaders, project leaders, committee members, and in advisory capacities for the 4-H Youth Development Program. Volunteers spend numerous hours working on tasks, such as helping a child with a 4-H project, leading a project to serve the community, or helping organize an event at the county fair.
The work of Extension volunteers is continuous throughout the program areas. Their local Master Gardener Association has 54 members who have provided over 2600 hours of Volunteer & Educational hours. The Extension Homemakers have roughly 85 members who have logged over 26,000 hours in helping the community and the members of LaPorte County Row Crop Food Producers Association have volunteered over 600 hours teaching local youth the importance of agriculture, farming and where their food comes from.
Every day volunteers lend a helping hand to make Extension programs more beneficial to the residents of LaPorte County. Those interested in joining the team of Extension Volunteers are invited to contact the LaPorte County Extension Office at (219-324-9407, https://extension.purdue.edu/county/laporte/ or laporteces@purdue.edu).