4-H honors two longtime volunteers
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Randolph County 4-H honored two of its legendary volunteers at the 2009 Awards Dinner. Annie Wood and Polly Mams were recognized for their dedication and service to Randolph County 4-H. They each have participated with Randolph County 4-H for 45 years.
Wood has been an active 4-H leader in Randolph County since 1964. She began her 4-H work as an assistant leader with the Ski Hi 4-H Club in Beverly and soon became the organizational leader. The Ski Hi 4-H club was founded in 1925 and has been an active local 4-H club consistently for the past 84 years. Wood was responsible for about 40 of those years, until she recently turned over the leadership of the club to her daughter, Dawn Swecker.
Wood has been a member of almost every committee in Randolph County, but worked especially hard with the Visual Presentation committee, believing that this was an extremely important aspect of a 4-H'ers growth. In the 1960s, she traveled with her two oldest daughters to the National Horticulture Demonstration contest in Florida. Since that time, demonstrations (now visual presentations) have been a vital focus for her.
Wood also was a member and treasurer of the Randolph County Recreation Board for more than 30 years. This board oversees Randolph County 4-H Camp Pioneer.
At 84 years old, Wood is currently a project leader for the Ski Hi 4-H Club. Even though she has stepped out of the active workings of the club, her wealth of knowledge is still tapped into these days. Hundreds of Randolph County youth have been guided by Wood to use their Head, Heart, Hands and Health to help their community and world.
Mams has been an assistant leader with the Hi-Fi 4-H club in Randolph County for 45 years.
She has made herself available to help the club in every circumstance. Many times she stepped in when the organizational leader was not available. She has also helped with numerous duties on the county level.
Mams has provided support to the 4-H program by planning and helping with club meetings, presenting programs at club meetings, assisting 4-H members with club activities, helping club members finish projects, contacting members about club activities and teaching meeting protocol and Roberts Rules of Order.
She helped with camp and taught classes at camp, graded projects and exhibits, assisted with fundraising, helped with dinners, served on leader committees and helped with recognition of outstanding 4-H members and leaders.
For both Mams and Wood, 4-H is a family affair. Mams' 4-H life has included supporting a sister who was an outstanding leader, three children with extensive 4-H resumes, a son-in-law who is a state specialist and numerous grandchildren who continue to be involved. Wood has also encouraged her family to continue her work with 4-H. Her daughter and granddaughters are active volunteers in Randolph County 4-H.
"4-H would not be what it is today in Randolph County without these two amazing and dedicated volunteers," said WVU Extension Agent Amanda Haller.
To become involved with Randolph County 4-H, call the WVU Extension Office at 304-636-2455.
