Family of volunteers impacts Washington County 4-H

The 4-H mission says ?4-H empowers youth to reach their full potential through youth-adult partnerships and research-based experiences.? 4-H in Washington County cannot be what it is today without the many different types of volunteers.

One particular family in Washington County provides two generations of active and motivated volunteers. Marty and Marianne Van Roekel of Wellman and their four children, Maggie, Jonah, Hannah and Eli are a great example of how 4-H is a family affair.

Marty and Marianne have set quite the example for their children about volunteerism. Marianne has been a 4-H leader of the Lime Creek Limelights for eight years. Her husband Marty was a previous leader to the Kalona Klassics and now returned to that duty again this year. Marty also served on the 4-H and Youth Committee for six years. As a part of this group he helped evaluate the 4-H youth programs, recruit new members, supervise events, and host fair activities. They have played a very active role with their children in 4-H.

?4-H was a big part of each of our lives and continues to play a huge role in the growth of our children, so we have always felt this was one place we really needed to give back,? explained Marty Van Roekel.

The four Van Roekel children have been very active in 4-H, participating in a wide variety of 4-H opportunities from fashion revue to poultry to share the fun to pride to working exhibits. Magge Van Roekel was active in County Council and currently Jonah and Hannah Van Roekel are active in the 4-H ELITE Project Team.

?Volunteering through 4-H gives us many chances to give back to our community and set an example for younger people,? said Hannah Van Roekel a member of the Lime Creek Limelights 4-H Club.

This family stands out in the 4-H arena when it comes to volunteerism by stepping into important and needed adult and youth leadership roles.

?As a leader, Marianne goes the extra mile for all the members of the club or other clubs,? explained 4-H parent, Becky Palmer, who has a daughter in Marianne?s 4-H Club. ?When my daughter Katie made it on to state with her educational presentation, Marianne worked with her to fine-tune it.?

Washington County 4-H encourages parents, grandparents, friends and family to all get involved with a youth and their 4-H experience. The Marty and Marianne Van Roekel Family have enjoyed their family 4-H adventures and encourage others to do the same.

?Kids don?t get a lot of good press anymore, but when you get to be around the kids that gravitate toward organizations like 4-H, you become very aware of how many great ones there are out there. For us, it is also that belief that everyone has a responsibility for his or her community, and there is no better way to improve the community than to provide positive learning experiences to its young people,? shared Marty Van Roekel.

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The entire Van Roekel family is active in showing sheep at both the county and state fair. They have also been active in helping other members get involved with the sheep project by being mentors for the Clover Kid Sheep Show. Maggie, Jonah and Hannah have all volunteered as mentors for this special class. The Van Roekel family looks forward to the Iowa State Fair each year where they exhibit Oxford sheep. Pictured here: Maggie, Eli, Hannah, Jonah. Back row Marianne and Marty Van Roekel