According to data from the AmeriCorps, 978,627 Kentuckians volunteered their time, talent and effort to improve people’s lives. 96.6 million hours of service and $2.3 billion of service were contributed.  Henderson County’s population is around 45,609 and the need for volunteers is more critical as programs expand.   

The Henderson County Extension office ended the year with a leadership appreciation program that was called “Henderson County Leadership Hall of Fame”.  We started the program in 2017.  Leaders were invited to attend a night of appreciation and awards ceremony where a leader from each program area was surprised with an overall award.   This year being in a pandemic, the event had to be changed to Facebook Live with 942 individuals reached online and those who won were present to accept their award.   

Each Extension agent needs community members to assist in teaching or organizing programs, leading clubs and groups, assisting with events or activities, and providing input and guidance.  Volunteer opportunities include Club Leaders, Project Club, Master Clothing, Extension Homemakers, and many others.   

The 4-H Agent gave three separate awards out this year. Our awards included Junior Outstanding Member, Senior Outstanding Member and Volunteer of the Year Award. With the COVID-19 pandemic we did not get to recognize our outstanding members during the annual banquet. These two 4-Hers were nominated by their peers to receive these awards. Our Volunteer of the Year award recipients were unique this year. Instead of just one volunteer, we had a group of volunteers that were a mix of adults and 4-Hers. These individuals took their own time to paint the side of a tractor-trailer that will sit by the parkway to promote 4-H.  
 

Time is worth money.  One hour equal $27.20 per hour.  For just the 1 award winner that did 25 hours a year would be worth over $680 value a year and $3400 in a five-year period. From 2017 to 2020 a total of 42 awards have been given out.  That would equal a value total of $28,560 based on 25 volunteer hours in a five-year period.