2016 Delaware County Kathy Hutchinson

It is hard for Kathy to think of a time when 4-H was not a part of her life.    She started as a member of the Cheerful Workers 4-H club. Memories of presentations, fairs, camps and out-of-county trips were made and through these activities, she learned how to speak in front of an audience, to sew, cook/bake, do community service, and most importantly, learned the importance of making and working towards goals.   She served on Delaware County Council as a 4-Her, and attended the State 4-H Conference. 

When her own children were old enough to join 4-H she became involved with 4-H again, as a leader for their club.  Seeing her children bloom thru the 4-H program has been extremely satisfying – as they recognize the values 4-H has brought to their lives. Now her grandchildren are involved, and it is still so rewarding!  The program itself has changed in many ways but the values it teaches remain. 

After her children were out of 4-H, she changed roles within the Delaware County 4-H program.  She became a member on the Delaware County 4-H Youth committee and has served as the secretary of that committee for many years.   In this way she continues to offer support to the local 4-H program in forming and enforcing policies, as well as volunteering time and talent.  She also serves as chair for the clothing activities – offering mini-workshops for 4-Hers wanting to learn to sew, as well as helping coordinate the clothing review judging each year.  Something new is the sponsorship of trophies for the clothing activities.   

And as it often happens, those wonderful 4-H friends you have made over the years offer you more ways to become involved!    Kathy started volunteering her time in the Delaware County 4-H food stand, and now serves as a member of the committee.   It makes for a really crazy week, lots of sweat, laughs and taco salads but she sees it as an honor to be part of this impressive group of volunteers.   She represents the food stand committee on the Delaware County 4-H Foundation board, currently serving as chairperson.   On that committee she has encouraged new ways to increase the Delaware County endowment fund, as well as increasing the amount disbursed in the form of scholarships to county senior 4-Her’s.  Each year she provides items for the 4-H Foundation silent auction – usually some kind of crazy pillow cases! 

Kathy and her husband, Bruce, have 4 children and 11 grandchildren and have enjoyed every minute.  Kathy has lived in Delaware County all her life and continues to work in and around the Delaware County area.   She is an area manager for Sedona Staffing Services, working with clients throughout Delaware and Jones County, providing jobs and filling the staffing needs for these businesses.  And for her creative side, she works part-time at The Quiltmaker’s Shoppe in Manchester.  She doesn’t plan to retire any time soon – and hopes that she is remembered as a person that never said no when asked.