WESTCHESTER, Ill. — On June 29, University of Illinois Extension serving Cook County hosted a volunteer appreciation event at picturesque Camp Bullfrog Lake in Willow Springs, Illinois, to celebrate the dedicated volunteers who play a vital role in helping Illinois Extension achieve its mission.
Cook County volunteers make a difference in their communities daily. The skills, creativity, and commitment they bring serve as a force multiplier that helps us expand the impact of Extension programs throughout the county.
To celebrate the 200 guests scheduled to attend, in addition to the breathtaking views, food, snacks, and giveaways, volunteers and their families enjoyed table activities, yard games, fishing, and kayaking. There was also a memorabilia museum showcasing photos and keepsakes from volunteer activities throughout the years, and a video recording booth for participants to share and save experiences and memories for the next generation.
In 2024, our Illinois 4-H, Master Naturalist, Extension Council, and Master Gardener volunteers donated 44,000 hours of their time, positively impacting the lives of youth in our communities, restoring and preserving the county’s natural resources, enhancing neighborhood beauty, working to maintain a safe food supply that is accessible to all, and ensuring county residents’ opinions and concerns are heard and incorporated into Extension programs. Equally important, with our volunteers' help, we grew and donated 23,000 lbs. of fresh produce to local community food pantries.
We are grateful for our dedicated volunteers and the Immeasurable impact they have on our programs and the lives of Cook County residents. For more information on Cook County Extension volunteer programs and how to become a volunteer, please visit our website: go.illinois.edu/cook.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.