Debi Cole (right) and Navonne Owen (left), Atlantic County 4-H staff and members of the New Jersey Association of 4-H Agents presented the 4-H Volunteer of the Year Award to Dorothy Calimer of Cologne (center).
Dorothy Calimer of Cologne, Atlantic County 4-H Volunteer, was recently recognized by the New Jersey Association of 4-H Agents with the 4-H Volunteer of the Year Award for her significant contributions to the New Jersey 4-H program.
This award, which is presented annually, recognizes an individual or a group for outstanding professional educational support of the 4-H Youth Development Program of Rutgers Cooperative Extension.
For more than 46 years, 82 year-old Dorothy Calimer, commonly known as Dot, has volunteered her time to many organizations, something that has been instilled in her since a very early age by her parents who were also volunteers. As a lifetime volunteer, Dot has had the opportunity to impact countless lives throughout the decades. Even now as a senior citizen, Dorothy is still going strong. Being able to meet people every day helps to keep her body and mind active, and her service impacts a variety of people from youth and middle-aged people to seniors and to the needy.
Dot has been heavily involved in the Atlantic County 4-H Program. She was a dedicated leader, teaching youth how to sew, can, freeze and various other skills in the home economics program. Dot also volunteered to chaperone and transport many children to State 4-H events. Even after her children aged out of the 4-H Program, Dot continued her service, joining the Atlantic County 4-H Fair Association. Dot currently serves on the Executive Committee where she was president for 10 years and secretary for more than 15 years. During the week of the Atlantic County Fair, Dot is actively involved in setting up the week prior to the fair; helping with the chicken BBQ, and working as the fair secretary, every day of the fair from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Once the fair is over, you will find Dot right there alongside everyone else cleaning up. She also volunteers for the numerous events that the 4-H program holds throughout the year and serves on the Yearbook Committee and Family and Consumer Science Committee.
Dot is a “volunteer-a-holic.” She never stops and brings an upbeat attitude to every event. She was named New Jersey Salute to Senior Service Winner in recognition of her years of service in 2013.
For more information about the New Jersey 4-H Program visit the website at http://nj4h.rutgers.edu. Like New Jersey 4-H on Facebook.
