As the 4-H extension agent for Santa Rosa County, I am often asked, “How do you get it all done?”
The truth is I cannot get it all done. I do not do it all. I work with a dedicated team of volunteer parents, alumni and youths who allow me to have precious time off.
Without an enthusiastic team of volunteers, Santa Rosa County 4-H would be stagnant. I appreciate every one of my volunteers and the passion they bring to each position they hold.
Volunteers also make up the Santa Rosa County Fair Board. We all work tireless hours each year to get the fair completed.
Saturday was the last day of the fair, and we had a wonderful exhibit of beef cattle, and a hog show and sale. There also was a goat show, rabbit show and cattle show.
I heard it takes 10,000 volunteer hours to put on a fair! We cannot all put in 10,000 hours, but some of us can put in 100 hours, or even 500 hours. Every little bit helps!
Even if you can only come out and help for one day during set up next year, we would love to have your help!
If you have thought about volunteering and thought you don’t have the time, I would encourage you to reconsider. We all have the same 168 hours a week and, even if we can only spare one or two hours, it will make a difference to an organization!
Find an organization you are passionate about and ask how you can help. They need your help, I promise!
Prudence Caskey is an agent with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Santa Rosa County Extension office.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: CASKEY: Volunteering is appreciated — and needed