November 9, 2016 at 1:54 p.m.
Oneida County 4-H club recognizes volunteers
Oneida County 4-H club recognizes volunteers
By By Oneida County 4-H Club-
Mary Puestow
Certified 4-H Volunteer Mary Puestow has a long history of involvement in 4-H. Her children, Alex and Allison, started doing photography projects at a young age.
Mary feels as though their experiences in 4-H through the years has helped them in many ways as adults. And during her 18 years as a volunteer she has seen many other children grow and learn.
"I love to see the kids explore new activities that they wouldn't normally be able to do," she said.
Besides serving as treasurer for the last 15 years, Mary also has a special interest in the travel opportunities 4-H offers.
"I've been very fortunate to have been able to chaperone three trips thru 4-H: Australia in 2007, Finland in 2011 and Norway in 2014. We are gone for a month and are able to live with 4-H families; learn how they live, what they do for work, leisure time, what they eat, etc. You become a part of that family for a month. I've maintained relationships with these families. My Australian family came over to the USA for a visit in 2008 and we were able to show them our way of life. I wouldn't have been able to do it without the support of my family." In the future, Mary would love to chaperone more trips.
Mary's favorite 4-H events are Family Fishing Fun Day, the Holiday Craft Workshop, bake sales, and Outbound Orientation for kids traveling internationally. Over the years she has been a part of planning, organizing, and volunteering at many 4-H events.
"We have such a wide variety of project areas that kids can choose from. It doesn't cost them anything to join and we have a wonderful bunch of 4-H certified leaders that would love to share their passion with you. If any adults have a passion for something and want to share it, let us know. We'd love to have you join us," she said. Mary says that when her family joined 4-H, back in 1998, they didn't know any of the families, but over time it has been a blessing to see the children she got to know grow up, get married, and have children of their own. "4-H truly is one big family" she said.
Mary's personal hobbies are crocheting, card making, weaving, recycled crafting, scrapbooking, photography, and travel.
"I plan to help out as much as I can," she said. "Once you have green in your blood, it's hard to get out!"
Amanda Parish
Amanda Parish has volunteered with 4-H for five years and has been vice president for two years.
"I feel like it's important to serve in these positions to help decisions get made," Parish said of her position as vice president.
She enjoys watching the children learn new skills and try new things.
"There are so many different areas for kids to explore with 4-H," Parish said. "It seems like there is something for every kind of kid, every personality, and every age level."
She enjoys volunteering at the Holiday Craft Workshop, the Oneida County Fair and Ecology Day.
Parish's children are also active in 4-H.
"Both of my girls, Grace and Sophia, are in 4-H," she said. "Besides agility and photography, Grace is the youth reporter for the club. Sophia is in the Cat program, photography and Lego Robotics."
A few years ago, through 4-H International, the Parishs welcomed a foreign exchange student into their home.
"In 2014 we had a foreign exchange student from Japan live with us for a month," she said. "The program is available through 4-H International, and is just another opportunity through 4-H that many people don't know about. It was a wonderful experience for all of us and my daughter and her (Kotomi) still keep in touch through e-mail and social media."
Parish's hobbies include photography, hiking, camping and crafts.
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