VENTURIA, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Coreen Schumacher of Venturia is the recipient of North Dakota’s 2017
Outstanding Lifetime 4-H Volunteer Award.

She was honored during the North Dakota 4-H Foundation’s Donor Recognition Social in Fargo on Friday, Nov. 10.

Schumacher has had many roles as a 4-H volunteer, including serving as leader of the Flickertail 4-H Club for 15 years. She also has been involved in 4-H community gardens, 4-H baking and craft projects for the elderly at nursing homes, the Flickertail 4-H Club’s aluminum can collection project, 4-H Awards Night, and 4-H bell ringing and singing for the Salvation Army.

In addition, she has served on the McIntosh County 4-H Council and a search committee for a new Extension agent, and was 4-H communication arts coordinator and group leader for the 4-H aerospace program.

“She’s encouraged youth in so many different 4-H project areas, highlighting their interests and providing opportunities for them to grow and learn at both county and state levels,” says Karen Bettenhausen, the family and consumer sciences agent in the North Dakota State University Extension Service’s McIntosh County office.

“She has volunteered endless hours to organize events, host meetings and activities, and always has been there for her family and club members any time they had questions, never asking for anything in return,” adds Bettenhausen, who nominated Schumacher for the volunteer award.

The 4-H leaders who have worked with Schumacher praise her for warmly welcoming youth into the club, making them feel part of the group and encouraging them to participate. Youth who were shy and reserved at the beginning grew to actively and willingly taking part in activities. Thanks to Schumacher’s encouragement, youth who were hesitant to fill club officer positions not only held office for a year but stayed in leadership positions in following years.

“Coreen has done an outstanding job in developing and promoting our county 4-H program,” says Pamela Schnabel, the parent of McIntosh County 4-H’ers and a 4-H leader who has worked with Schumacher. “She has always been willing to try new ideas and provide exposure to many various projects to our members.

“She brought her creativity and hard work ethic to every meeting, challenging our members to do their best and try new things,” Schnabel adds.

Schumacher also is McIntosh County’s superintendent of schools, a homemaker, farm wife and partner, bookkeeper and teacher, and has been a vacation Bible school director, Pathfinder youth group leader, church treasurer, science fair judge, math tutor, third- and four-grade spelling bee coordinator and women’s Bible study coordinator.

Photo and information courtesy of the NDSU Extension Service.