PONTIAC, Ill. – Illinois 4-H volunteers empower and prepare youth for success as the program relies on its more than 15,000 volunteers to fill key leadership and mentoring roles. Longtime volunteers and former staff members were recently honored by the Illinois 4-H Foundation for their selfless dedication to the University of Illinois Extension 4-H youth development program.
In 2021, 71 individuals received the Foundation Hall of Fame Award, presented during a virtual ceremony August 17. Four of the honorees are being named posthumously.
“These volunteers are a model of 4-H values,” says Angie Barnard, Illinois 4-H Foundation executive director. “All of our volunteers are valuable, but this award honors those that go above and beyond. These are volunteers that helped shape not only individuals, but generations of 4-H members.”
We are proud to announce Livingston County 4-H leader Roberta Maubach as one of the 2021 honorees into the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame.
Maubach is a devoted 4-H Alumna in Livingston County. She was a member of the Manville Succeeders 4-H Club in her youth and she cannot recall ever missing a 4-H event or fair as a child or young adult. She has continued her involvement as a volunteer for the past 20 years. In 2002, she began as a club leader when her son joined the Cornell Classic Clovers 4-H Club. Roberta continues as a leader with the club and especially enjoys her Cloverbud group. She embodies what 4-H is all about and works hard to create special experiences for her 4-H and Cloverbud members, such as putting together unique workshops and developing fun year-long themes for learning.
After 35 years in the classroom, Roberta retired from teaching but still uses her talents to impact area youth. She reflects on the value of the 4-H experience for the individual members as well as their communities.
Roberta explains, “I became a volunteer for 4-H because, as a retired teacher I realize how important it is for youth to be actively involved in hands-on activities and community service. 4-H builds leadership skills and give our young people an outlet to give back to their community. 4-H was ahead of its time in the fact that it realized the importance of experiential learning experiences decades before the implementation of STEM and STEAM.” Roberta continues to leave her mark on the 4-H program through her work as a club leader, superintendent, and through service on several committees over the years.
Roberta believes, “4-H means many things, but the greatest to me is family. Not just your immediate family, but the community that becomes your family. It is helping each other with projects and learning experiences. It is spending weeks together at 4-H camps and family camps. It is the caring of all things that your club members and county members see as significant.”
Livingston County 4-H is blessed to have Roberta as a leader and friend! Thank you and congratulations, Roberta.
Illinois 4-H programs reach nearly 120,000 youth each year through 4-H clubs, camps, educational programs, workshops, and conferences held in communities, schools, parks, and homes across Illinois. Volunteers fill key leadership and mentoring roles throughout the state.
To volunteer with Livingston County 4-H, one may request information from the Extension Office at 815-842-1776. “There is a place for everyone in 4-H, whether you have an hour or a lifetime to give,” Barnard says.
“The Foundation provides avenues to support the work of Illinois 4-H by accepting financial gifts specifically directed to the program you wish to support,” Barnard said. “Gift planning services are available to those wishing to continue their 4-H legacy.” The Illinois 4-H Foundation raises private funds that are invested in Illinois 4-H programs that provide meaningful, positive development experiences for Illinois youth to develop leadership, citizenship, and life skills. To learn more, visit: 4hfoundation.illinois.edu.
For Further Information Contact:
News Source: Alcha Corban, 4-H Youth Educator, Livingston & Woodford Counties, 309-467-3789
News Writer: Carissa Nelson, 4-H Media Communications Manager, carissa7@illinois.edu
About Illinois 4-H: Illinois 4-H is the flagship youth development program of University of Illinois Extension and administered through the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences. 4-H grows true leaders, youth who are empowered for life today and prepared for a career tomorrow. The hands-on approach in 4-H gives young people guidance, tools, and encouragement, and then puts them in the driver’s seat to make great things happen. Independent research confirms the unparalleled impact of the 4-H experience, demonstrating that young people are four times more likely to contribute to their communities; two times more likely to make healthier choices; two times more likely to be civically active; and two times more likely to participate in STEM programs.
ABOUT EXTENSION: Illinois Extension leads public outreach for University of Illinois by translating research into action plans that allow Illinois families, businesses, and community leaders to solve problems, make informed decisions, and adapt to changes and opportunities.