Each year, thousands of volunteers in Indiana 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 the 47th anniversary of National Volunteer Week, April 18-24.
Research reported by the Corporation for National and Community Service found that 30% of adult Americans (77.3 million) volunteered 7.9 billion hours of service worth $167 billion in 2018. In 2018 in Indiana, more than 1.81 million volunteers contributed 166.5 million hours of service, valued at $4 billion. 34.9% of Indiana residents volunteered, ranking Indiana 20th among the 50 states and Washington, D.C.
One group that relies heavily on volunteers is the Indiana 4-H Program. In 2021 more than 13,000 youth and adults are volunteering in some capacity with 4-H. In Montgomery County, 78 volunteers, both youth and adult, will serve as club leaders, project leaders, committee members, and in advisory capacities for the 4-H Youth Development Program. Volunteers spend numerous hours working on tasks, such as helping a child with a 4-H project, leading a project to serve the community or helping organize an event at the county fair.
4-H Program volunteers are just one group of volunteers who are instrumental in carrying out the mission of the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service. Volunteers are involved in every aspect of the Extension Service, including determining the needs of the local residents, planning and implementing programs to address these needs, securing resources and evaluating programs.
An example of these volunteers is the Montgomery County Extension Board. The 20-member board, which consists of appointed county citizens, works with the county extension staff to plan and oversee extension activities.
The work of extension volunteers is continuous. Every day volunteers lend a helping hand to make Extension programs more beneficial to the residents of Montgomery County. Those interested in joining the team of extension volunteers are invited to contact the Montgomery County Extension Office at 765-364-6363 or email Abby Morgan at asweet@purdue.edu.
Abby Morgan is the Montgomery County Extension Education, 4-H Youth Development Educator. The office is at 400 Parke Ave., Crawfordsville; 765-364-6363. She may be reached by email at asweet@purdue.edu.
