Celebrating century of success
4-H marks 100 years of having positive impact on P.E.I. youth
A program that provides opportunities for youth, between ages nine to 21, to participate in leadership and hands-on development projects across the Island, marked a milestone year recently.
More than 170 guests attended the 4-H celebration to acknowledge a century of positive youth development and programming at the annual awards banquet.
The event was filled with food and fun, with awards presented in the afternoon. Volunteer James Harris received his 45-year leader certificate. Harris has retired as a 4-H leader after a dedicated career with the Elmsdale Beavers 4-H Club.
Leader Roma Larsen of the Albany Centennial 4-H Club and Grace MacLaurin of the Lot 16 4-H Club, both celebrated 40 years of service. They remain active in the program, continuing to support youth in their communities.
A total of 37 volunteer leaders received certificates that acknowledged their five to 45 years of commitment to the 4-H P.E.I. program.
The council gave special recognition to Steve Howatt, in the form of the Friend of 4-H Award. This is awarded to a business, organization or individual who has contributed financial, material or staff support to the provincial level of 4-H. Howatt contributed to many of the program’s successes, the most recent being the creation of the BioFutures project. This new, six-week pilot project specifically for senior 4-H members, will be offered for the first time in April.
During the banquet, the Heart Club, which honours significant cumulative donations to the P.E.I. 4-H Trust, recognized leader and volunteer Nancy Orr for achieving the Trustees Club member status.
Audrey Farquharson, of Fort Augustus, achieved the Platinum-level, Abe and Elaine Buttimer, of New Glasgow, and Kay Wall, of Summerside, each reached the Gold-level. Grace and James MacLaurin of Lot 16 were awarded Silverlevel status. Corporate milestones for the Heart Club included the government of P.E.I. department of Agriculture and Fisheries and ADL achieving the Trustee’s club status. Allan Equipment Manufacturing, Maritime Precast Products and Veseys Seeds all received Platinum-level status. North Rustico Home Hardware was awarded the Silver-level status and Callbecks Home Hardware, Metro Home Building Centre and Nobra Holstein Inc. all achieved Bronze-level Heart Club status.