Illinois 4-H Foundation inducts Amanda Gray into 2015 Hall of Fame class

[August 22, 2015]  LINCOLN - The Illinois 4-H Foundation annually recognizes one 4-H volunteer per county for exemplary service to the Illinois 4-H program as a Hall of Fame winner. This year celebrated the 11-year anniversary of the award, said Angie Barnard, director of the Illinois 4-H Foundation.

More than 800 supporters watched the induction of 70 new members into the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 15 on the Director of Agriculture’s Lawn on the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

“These long-time volunteers fully embody what 4-H strives to instill in youth,” Barnard continued. “They are caring, dedicated, generous leaders. The Illinois 4-H Foundation is extremely proud to be able to provide this honor to each and every one of them, and we thank them for their service to this wonderful organization. As a result of these volunteers’ years of service and leadership to Illinois 4-H,” Barnard said. “The program they love will continue to create brilliant futures for the young people whose lives it touches.”

Included in the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame Class of 2015 is Amanda Gray, from Logan County. Amanda is a Logan County 4-H Alumni who works closely with the YES! Junior Leadership Group. Patty Huffer, Extension Program Coordinator for Youth Development in Logan County, stated in Amanda’s nomination, “Amanda Gray truly does "bleed green" and is a terrific example of a 4-H alumni 'giving back' to Logan County. She serves on our local 4-H Foundation and plays a major part in their annual Spaghetti Meal fundraiser, was instrumental in implementing a junior high leadership group in our county, is a member of our 4-H project committees, and is working with our county on getting a 4-H Alumni group up and running. She 'gives back' to Logan 4-H with great enthusiasm and a smile we love.”

The Illinois 4-H Foundation established the statewide Hall of Fame in 2004 and nominations for the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame are made by University of Illinois Extension staff. Each inductee received a commemorative Hall of Fame medallion.

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: www.4hfoundation.illinois.edu.

[Patty Huffer, Logan County Extension]

About 4-H: Illinois 4-H strives to help youth learn skills for living. University of Illinois Extension provides 4-H programs in every county in Illinois. Illinois 4-H aims to impact the lives of 200,000 youth each year through sustained learning clubs and groups and short-term programming.