Shapleigh resident to receive UMaine 4-H outstanding volunteer award

Hazel Goodwin of Shapleigh will be awarded the 2017 University of Maine Cooperative Extension 4-H Salute to Excellence Outstanding Volunteer Achievement Award, the highest 4-H volunteer honor bestowed by UMaine Extension 4-H.

The award recognizes Goodwin’s dedication to positive youth development and contributions to Maine youth during her 63 years of volunteer service. Since 1954, she has served as leader or assistant leader of the Four Leaf Clover 4-H Club in Shapleigh. Goodwin will be honored at the Maine 4-H Foundation annual luncheon on May 23 in Orono.

The Maine 4-H Salute to Excellence Outstanding Volunteer Achievement Award honors 4-H volunteers who have served Maine 4-H for 10 years or more. As the 2017 honoree, Goodwin also becomes Maine’s nominee for the 2018 National 4-H Salute to Excellence Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award.

Before becoming a 4-H volunteer, Goodwin was a member in the Four Leaf Clover 4-H Club for 11 years (1931–42) during the Great Depression. When her children joined her former club, she decided to give back by becoming a 4-H volunteer. Under Goodwin’s guidance, the Four Leaf Clover 4-H Club became an integral part of the Shapleigh community.

Goodwin has been adamant that club members serve the community. The Four Leaf Clover 4-H Club members clean the town hall and fire station, plant flowers around the town and serve meals at town meetings. As a result of the club’s commitment, the town of Shapleigh gives each 4-H member a small yearly stipend.

Goodwin also committed to helping the 4-H members learn about state and national history, making it a priority to take members on field trips to local historic sites.