Landis Intermediate School student volunteers participate in the Water Monitoring Challenge.
Each year, thousands of volunteers in New Jersey donate their time and energy to make their communities a better place to live. These volunteers will be among the millions across the country who will be spotlighted during National Volunteer Week, April 19-25.
One group that relies heavily on volunteers is the New Jersey 4-H Youth Development Program, which is administered in the state by Rutgers Cooperative Extension (RCE), a unit of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES). More than 2,500 adult volunteers have served as club leaders, project leaders, resource leaders and judges throughout New Jersey during the past year.
The work of 4-H volunteers is continuous. Everyday a volunteer is lending a helping hand to provide learning opportunities for the 4-H members involved in the New Jersey 4-H Program.
4-H logo.
“Volunteers are the backbone of the 4-H program. They provide the guidance and support that helps 4-H members develop confidence and valuable life skills,” says Jeannette Rea Keywood, State 4-H Agent, Department of 4-H Youth Development at Rutgers.
Volunteers spend numerous hours working on tasks, such as assisting with 4-H events, organizing club activities, coordinating special interest programs, conducting workshops and events, helping children with 4-H projects, or leading a community service project.
4-H volunteers across New Jersey are instrumental in carrying out the mission of the 4-H Youth Development Program of RCE, a unit of NJAES. The 4-H program offers educational programs to all youth grades K-13 (one year out of high school) on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, sexual orientation or disability.
Volunteers are always needed and welcome. For more information on how to become involved in 4-H, contact the 4-H office in the county in which you reside or visit the website http://nj4h.rutgers.edu.
