Ottawa, Ontario – January 30, 2020 – 4-H Canada is thrilled to announce the recipient of its 2019 National Volunteer Leader of the Year Award is Lisa Patton of the Truro-North River 4-H Club in Nova Scotia. Proudly supported by The Co-operators, this award recognizes the important and crucial role 4-H’s 7,600 volunteer leaders play in the program. Lisa will be honoured February 10, 2020, at the 4-H Canada Leadership Awards at the National Arts Center in Ottawa.

Lisa was selected as this year’s award recipient for her dedication to empowering youth members. She truly embodies the principles of 4-H and positive youth development and dedicates countless hours to supporting youth to build skills and leadership while making a lasting impact in their communities. Lisa has been leading the Truro-North River 4-H Club for more than 15 years and has been instrumental to the strength of the 4-H program in Colchester County.

The National Volunteer Leader of the Year Award is driven by nominations from 4-H members who want to share the positive impact their 4-H leaders have had on them and their communities.

“It’s in the dedication and enthusiasm demonstrated by leaders like Lisa Patton that 4-H is able to nurture responsible, caring, and contributing youth leaders across Canada,” says Shannon Benner, 4-H Canada’s CEO. “We are excited to recognize Lisa as this year’s National Volunteer Leader of the Year for her remarkable commitment to 4-H and continued dedication to empowering our youth.”

“The Co-operators is proud to continue our partnership with 4-H Canada and to recognize the National Volunteer of the Year for 2019,” says Steve Johnston, AVP, National Farm Portfolio, The Co-operators. “The shared commitment of 4-H and The Co-operators to Canadians and Canadian communities is demonstrated across the country through the meaningful development experiences and programs provided by 4-H Canada.”

In addition to the national winner, 4-H Canada is pleased to announce five winners of the Provincial Volunteer Leader of the Year Award. They are:

Lori Nielsen, Prairie Winds 4-H Club, Calgary, Alberta
Marlene Baskerville, U of M Future Leaders 4-H Club, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Theresa Hunter, River Valley 4-H Club, Summerfield, New Brunswick
Janice Whalen, Millview-Vernon River 4-H Club, Avondale, Prince Edward Island
Joanne Blanchard, 4-H Challenging Pioneers, Mount Pearl, Newfoundland and Labrador

To learn more about the National Volunteer Leader of the Year Award, visit 4-h-canada.ca/awards/volunteer.

To learn more about the 4-H Canada Leadership Awards on February 10, 2020, visit 4-h-canada.ca/4hawards.

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