Posted on August 8, 2013 at 11:41 AM by Global Reach
Bonnie Johnson is a life-long 4-Her, who loved being a member, leader and advocate for the program since the early 1940’s. Bonnie belonged to two clubs as a teen, the “Gillett Grove Clippers” and the “Gillett Grove Happy Helpers”.
As a 4-Her, she participated in project areas like clothing, home furnishings, food and nutrition, and showing cattle. In 1949, at the age of 16, Bonnie was featured in the Life Magazine as a 4-Her in a story they did on the Clay County Fair.
Shortly after marrying, Bonnie began assisting at 4-H club meetings and later became a club leader. She also served on the Clay County Extension Council, providing leadership to county Extension programming. Bonnie was a member of the Clay County 4-H Endowment Committee from its inception in 2000 through 2012, working diligently to ensure that 4-H youth in the county had access to a great variety of local, state and national 4-H experiences.
When asked to share her experience with Clay County 4-H in honor of the Clay County Centennial Celebration, Bonnie recounted a beautiful story full of friends and fellow volunteers that are clearly very dear to her. She has been a caring, kind and treasurable mentor to many 4-H members. She has touched countless lives and been a shining example of the character and leadership that the 4-H program strives to lead youth towards discovering in them.
In nominating her for the award, her great-nephew said “I think of her love for any 4-Her who wanted to have a project from sewing to visual arts Bonnie offered a helping hand. Also when it came to the fair livestock auctions Bonnie was no stranger supporting the youth buying over the years several beef cattle projects and also swine projects. I don’t know if you can find a 4-H volunteer that has as big a heart for an organization as Bonnie has for 4-H. She is truly one of a kind.”
When asked to share her thoughts on Clay County 4-H, Bonnie responded, “I’m glad to live in the country; I love its beauty and its people! I so appreciate the opportunities 4-H and Clay County Extension have given me. My life is truly blessed”.
And Clay County 4-H is blessed to have Bonnie.
Categories: Clay
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