The National 4-H Salute to Excellence Award was created to highlight the important work of 4-H volunteers across the nation. One winner is selected each year from a pool of 50 state finalists. Sullivan was recognized for her ability to work with young people, her dedication and advocacy of the 4-H youth development organization and her professional attitude, character and morals.
Sullivan's hard work and stamina surely must have impressed the judges, as well. She devotes 20-plus hours a week to 4-H activities, in addition to holding a full-time job and raising two children with her husband, Patrick.
“I'm busy every weekend with 4-H and during the week I have one night off from club activities,” Sullivan said. “But I love being with the kids and seeing them grow and develop as a result of 4-H.”
Sullivan become involved with 4-H nine years ago, when her son, Jeffrey, joined the Harrington Sunshine 4-H club. In a matter of months, she was an organizational leader and now heads the 120-member club. The Harrington Sunshine Club is involved in a diverse range of activities: preparing care packages for nursing homes and hospitals, planting beach grass as part of a restoration project, offering support to Dover Air Force Base soldiers and their families, and participating in many community events.
State 4-H coordinator Joy Sparks said that Sullivan is a “dream volunteer.” “Linda is positive, organized and dedicated to the young people of her community,” Sparks said. “She constantly looks for opportunities for the 4-Hers who are members of the Harrington Sunshine 4-H club to have leadership, community service and 4-H project experiences.”
“Linda Sullivan freely gives of her gifts and talents to touch the lives of an extraordinarily large number of youth, all of whom are privileged to be touched by her caring guidance,” Jan Seitz, associate dean and director of University of Delaware Cooperative Extension, said. “Linda's passion for and dedication to 4-H is unmatched in my experience.”
“In the process of providing leadership, she serves as role model, mentor, teacher, sometimes as nurse and taxi driver, always as a friend,” Seitz added. “Linda is truly a builder of tomorrow."
Sullivan will be recognized in October in a ceremony at the National 4-H Council headquarters in Bethesda, Md. For more information about Delaware 4-H, call (302) 831-2509 or visit [http://ag.udel.edu/extension/4h].
Article by Margo McDonough