UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Thirteen Pennsylvania Residents Are Being Recognized As This Year's Outstanding Volunteers By Penn State Cooperative Extension's 4-h Youth-service Organization As Part Of Its “salute To Excellence” Program. The Awards Honor Individuals Who Serve As The Best Examples Of 4-h Volunteers By Showing Dedication And Hard Work And By Having A Significant Positive Influence On Youth.

Pennsylvania’s 2005 Salute to Excellence Lifetime Volunteer Award is presented to individuals who have spent more than 10 years volunteering for 4-H. Recipients include:

--Ethel Coleman, Indiana County. A 10-year 4-H member, Coleman has been a volunteer leader for the Trailblazers 4-H Horse Club for 21 years. She has helped organize and lead a variety of horse events including the Indiana County Horse Bowl and the Indiana County Hippology Contest, and has helped coach the county horse judging teams, which have participated in state and national competitions.

--Gary Dean, Lancaster County. Dean has been a 4-H volunteer leader for 24 years. He was a leader in the beef club for 15 years and has spent the last nine years as a leader for the Woolies Sheep Club. Dean has served on the county 4-H Advisory Board, the county 4-H Fair Committee, the state 4-H Animal Science Curriculum Committee and the Pennsylvania Farm Show Youth Scholarship Committee.

--Debra Deeter, Venango County. Deeter has been a 4-H leader for 25 years and is currently serving as the organizational leader of the Canal Ag 4-H Club. She is also a member of the Venango County 4-H Livestock Committee and the Venango County Cooperative Extension Board of Directors.

--Emma Dunmire, Westmoreland County. Along with her husband, Dunmire has been an organizational leader for the Beaver Run 4-H Community Club for 42 years. She has served on the Regional 4-H Leaders Forum Committee for more than 18 years and served on the planning committee for the Northeast Regional Leaders Forum.

--Frances Shoop, Dauphin County. Shoop began volunteering 35 years ago for the Busy Bee Workers 4-H Sewing Club in Dauphin County. She is active on the 4-H Family Living Advisory Committee and has said that she will continue to help young people develop their "heads, hearts, hands, and health" by being a 4-H leader.

--Jeannie Snover, Northumberland County. As a leader for 26 years, Snover has helped raise more than $16,000 for 19 charity organizations through a rock-a-thon benefit. She is an organizational leader for the Backwoodsmen 4-H Club, and has expanded project programs from one horse and pony club to eight different projects.

--Connie Tenney, Warren County. Tenney began her 13-year volunteer efforts by helping to lead Warren County’s horse club. Since that time, she has become the organizational leader of the club. Her club’s community service activities, which include adopting residents at a personal care home, have been recognized numerous times on county and state levels.

The 2005 Salute to Excellence Volunteer of the Year award is presented to individuals who have served 4-H for less than 10 years. Recipients include:

--Deborah Beisel, Indiana County. For nine years, Beisel has been an organizational leader for the Future Finders 4-H Club, which encompasses several project areas including family living, wildlife and forestry. She is also a project leader with the Marion Center Handy Helpers Club.

--Anne Lail, Westmoreland County. A nine-year volunteer, Lail has created many new programs and activities for 4-H members including "Tuff Love," "Impromptu Committee" and "4-H Bucks."

--Sherry Moore, Warren County. As a 4-H volunteer for four years, Moore has planned events such as Camp Giddy-Up-Go, an equine-education camp, and the Warren County 4-H Horse Show. She has also taught regional workshops at the Northwest Pennsylvania Leadership Forum.

--Rick Perry, Venango County. As a volunteer for six years, Perry has served as a 4-H leader as well as a mentor to many Venango County youth. He aids in helping members learn livestock selection skills, nutrition schedules, and health and vaccination programs. Perry was voted a Venango County 4-H Outstanding Volunteer Leader in 2004.

--Carol Weaver, Butler County. Weaver began her 4-H volunteer leader role nine years ago when she organized the Circle Round 4-H Club. She is a member of the Butler County 4-H Program Development committee and often volunteers to help promote 4-H on a local level.

--Lori Whitehaus, Dauphin County. Whitehaus is the organizational leader of the Friendship Community 4-H Club and is a project leader in the Rabbit and Cavy Club. She also serves on the 4-H Fair Committee.

The 4-H Salute to Excellence Awards were created in 2002 by Gene and Sharon Swackhamer to emphasize the important work of 4-H volunteers across the nation. They are supported by the Salute to Excellence Fund, which provides donors with the opportunity to recognize 4-H volunteer leaders who have made an impact on their 4-H experiences.

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Writer: Jill Hoover

Editor: Gary Abdullah Office: 814-863-2708