By Laura Squires Congratulations are in order for Kim DeKlein who is the winner of the 2018 Ontario Provincial Volunteer Leader of the Year award! Each year, 4-H Canada recognizes a volunteer from each Province for their support and dedication to giving 4-H members experiences and skills that help them become responsible, caring and contributing individuals. Kim began her 4-H journey at the age of 12 where she was part of the Peterborough Dairy Club. Until she was 21, she participated in all 4-H opportunities and was part of the ‘Classic’ team for many years. After university, her first job was at 4-H where she helped organize Youth Adventure Camp and Provincial Leadership Camp, in addition to many newsletters, awards nights and fall fair achievement programs. She also sat on the 4-H Ontario Council Board of Directors for three years. Once her son was old enough to join 4-H, Kim became a leader with the Dorchester Dairy Club in Middlesex and led several other life skills clubs in addition to a regional judging club, tractor and farm safety and field crops clubs. She has been part of the Middlesex 4-H Association as a director for the past seven years and she will be completing her year as president very soon. Over the past 10 years, Kim has enjoyed seeing the growth of the 4-H members in her clubs where some have overcome a fear of public speaking, some have taken on a new challenge or accomplished a goal and others have even become 4-H volunteers themselves. “I truly love the 4-H program and want to give back to a program that gave so much to me. The award means that I have achieved that for someone else,” stated Kim when asked about winning the Provincial Volunteer Leader of the Year Award. Kim encourages all parents of 4-H members to become volunteers and help out in any way they can. Everyone brings new skills, new ideas and a different way of doing things to the table that lightens the load for everyone and creates a fun environment that is diverse among all clubs. Her best advice for new volunteers is to, “Ask questions, start small and dream big.” Thank you, Kim, for all of your continued efforts and dedication to this organization and your contributions to positive youth development and leadership in your community. We are grateful and proud to have you as a member of our 4-H family.