As promised, here is your virtual introduction to Anne Marie Werry. This 4-H’r is a multi-tasking and organization guru. I don’t know how she manages to fit everything in her day! Seems to be a common theme for our Syngenta 4-H Ontario Arbor Award winners… Next week we’ll meet Brian O’Neill. _____________________________________________________________________________ Anne Marie Werry: The Multi-Tasking Guru Anne Marie Werry’s 4-H journey began when she was 12 years old. Like Deborah, and many other 4-H’rs, Anne Marie joined 4-H as soon as she could. For Anne Marie, 4-H was a family affair. Her parents, their siblings, and her siblings, had all been involved in 4-H and she was excited to join this family loved organization. Upon joining 4-H, Anne Marie became a very active 4-H Member in the Victoria area where she participated in over 18 Clubs. She participated in a wide variety of life skills Clubs, as well as dairy Clubs. Anne Marie’s life skills Club experiences had a tremendous impact on her. “I had the greatest Leaders. My homemaking Leaders were the coolest ladies and we did so many things together,” said Anne Marie. Anne Marie learned many valuable skills in her homemaking Clubs that she still references today.
Her desire to give back to 4-H Ontario led her directly into volunteering after her Member tenure was completed. “4-H always encouraged you to give back. You get so much out of the program so why would you not give back and share you knowledge?” notes Anne Marie.
“4-H always encouraged you to give back. You get so much out of the program so why would you not give back and share you knowledge?” notes Anne Marie.
Anne Marie began the process of giving back by leading a 4-H Heritage Club. In the spirit of “Learn To Do By Doing”, she of course learned a thing or two about her family history in the process of running the Club. “It’s a neat way of learning how to search your history and make a family tree.” When Anne Marie married, she decided to take a break from volunteering to focus on her family. Because volunteering was such a large component of Anne Marie’s life, she couldn’t stay away for too long and she continued her volunteer career as soon as she was able to sneak away some time for herself. “Volunteering is a real social thing for me and I love what I do,” she said.
Today, Anne Marie has been volunteering with 4-H Ontario for 12 years. She’s lead dairy, veterinary science and dance Clubs. Anne Marie is also an active member of many other community organizations including the Brooklin Agriculture Society, the Catholic Women’s League, Kedron Park Association and the Lindsay Fair, just to name a few. “4-H and fair organizing has always been in my blood,” she jokes. Anne Marie’s contributions to her community are definitely appreciated and do not go unnoticed. On top of winning the Syngenta 4-H Ontario Arbor Award, in December she also received a Maple Leaf Service Pin from her church, St. Joseph the Worker. When asked why she chooses to devote so much of her time to volunteering, she simply says that she likes helping others. “I feel good doing something for other people. It just makes your life so much richer when you can be a part of so many different people’s lives.” When she is not volunteering, Anne Marie can be found supply teaching for the Durham Catholic School board, helping out on the her family farm, working out at her local gym, and spending time with friends and family including her husband Eldon and three amazing children; Maria, Sarah, and Dan.
“I feel good doing something for other people. It just makes your life so much richer when you can be a part of so many different people’s lives.”
Anne Marie is a 4-H success story, living legend, and inspiration to everyone. 4-H Ontario is lucky to have her as a Volunteer.