RICHMOND HILL, ONT (March 25, 2025) – 4-H Ontario is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 4-H Ontario Arbor Award, a prestigious honour recognizing exemplary volunteer service with 4-H Ontario and the community. In 2025, the following three volunteers were recognized with this distinct award: Sharon Halpenny (Grenville 4-H Association), Kris McNaughton (Chatham-Kent 4-H Association) and Cheryl Sullivan (Carleton 4-H Association).

The recipients were honoured at the 4-H Ontario Arbor Awards Banquet on March 22, 2025. Each of the recipients received an award featuring a hand-crafted metal sculpture of a tree and in addition, a tree will be planted in a location of their choice in honour of their contributions to the 4-H program and their community.

“Our 2025 4-H Ontario Arbor Award recipients are truly incredible people who have given so much of themselves to 4-H over the years,” says Megan Burnside-Poitras, Volunteer & Database Manager, 4-H Ontario. “The difference they’ve made in the lives of youth and volunteers is immeasurable. Their kindness, dedication, and passion are beautiful reminders of what makes the 4-H community so special.”

Established in 2001 during the International Year of the Volunteer, the 4-H Ontario Arbor Award recognizes a select group of 4-H Ontario volunteers who have served the organization for over 10 years and have positively impacted 4-H and their local community. This is 4-H Ontario’s most prestigious volunteer award.

To be eligible to receive the award, 4-H Ontario volunteers must be nominated by their local 4-H Association. Nominees must have shown significant leadership, initiative and made a positive impact on 4-H at various levels. In addition, nominees must have other involvement within their community or other volunteer organizations. The selection committee consists of previous Arbor Award winners.

Learn more about each of the 2025 4-H Ontario Arbor Award recipients below.

Sharon Halpenny

Sharon Halpenny has been a 4-H volunteer in the Grenville 4-H Association since 2005. Over the course of her 20-year tenure, Sharon has led dozens of projects and held numerous leadership roles including trip chaperone, association president, membership coordinator, volunteer conference committee chair, region two board member and association representative. In addition, Sharon also dedicates her time to other organizations, such as the Merrickville Agricultural Society and the International Plowing Match.

Her fellow volunteers share that Sharon is an organized, enthusiastic, hardworking and effective communicator who ensures youth are provided with fun-filled opportunities to ‘Learn To Do By Doing.’ “She always impresses me with her friendly, helpful attitude; her ability to get things done and her wonderful way with young people,” says John Drummond, fellow 4-H volunteer.

Sharon is a motivator and mentor to both youth and volunteers. She is often one of a participant’s most enthusiastic cheerleaders whether they succeed at the microphone, complete a project or step out of their comfort zone to finish a challenging task.

“I have witnessed some of these [initially] reluctant [youth] come to Sharon years later thanking her for her help and nurturing them into outgoing enthusiastic [participants] in other clubs, post-secondary school and their community.”

“I am truly humbled to have been nominated by my peers and to be joining such an amazing group of dedicated 4-H volunteers. I cannot express my thanks and I am truly honoured to be receiving this award alongside my fellow Region 2 volunteer Cheryl Sullivan,” says Sharon, 2025 Arbor Award winner.

Kris McNaughton

Kris McNaughton has been a 4-H volunteer for over 30 years with the Chatham-Kent 4-H Association and the Huron 4-H Association. During this time, she has led 46 projects, been part of numerous committees and served as the association president. She has been instrumental in bringing 4-H to the broader community, starting the bicycle and engineering Lego projects, as well as leading Cloverbuds. 

“Her passion for educating youth and providing them with the necessary skills and tools to be their best selves as they become contributing members in their community is evidence of her own core values,” says Rob Reid, a colleague of Kris.

Kris’ fellow volunteers share that she is always willing to give her time and expertise, and she is admired for her kind, thoughtful nature and generosity. In addition to dedicating her time to 4-H, Girl Guides, Let’s Talk Science and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair to name a few, Kris is also a Guardian Network volunteer and crisis responder with Chatham-Kent victim services.

“I have personally worked alongside Kris on numerous calls and have firsthand seen her compassion for people suffering trauma and lending a friendly ear. Kris is the type of person that everyone should strive to be like,” says Laura Wright, Crisis Support Coordinator.

“Thank you to 4-H, my family and friends who have taught me so much.  It is their support that has allowed and encouraged me to volunteer and enjoy the 4-H program. I’ve been continually inspired by the incredible volunteers I’ve had the privilege of working alongside. Their dedication and passion fuel me to give my best each day and to Learn to do by Doing. I love catching the moment in a youth’s face when they move from “I think I can do this” to “I know I can do this”!  Their excitement and enthusiasm are inspiring,” says Kris, 2025 Arbor Award winner.

Cheryl Sullivan

Cheryl Sullivan of the Carleton 4-H Association began her 4-H volunteer journey in 2010 and has since led over 86 projects and served in a number of association and provincial roles. From association president to president of the Ontario 4-H Council, Cheryl is a trusted leader who is passionate about the 4-H vision and making a difference in her community.

“You don’t need to look too far to see Cheryl’s strength! From nurturing her five children and sharing her volunteer spirit, she is building a better community,” says Lynda McCuaig, fellow 4-H volunteer. Her fellow volunteers admire her calm and thoughtful approach to challenges and her leadership has encouraged many to begin volunteering with 4-H, demonstrating outstanding commitment to help others in their volunteer endeavours.

Cheryl’s volunteerism also doesn’t begin and end with 4-H. She is an active volunteer in her community and has supported various organizations such as the Metcalfe Agricultural Society, Girl Guides, Metcalfe and District Lions, Osgoode Township Museum, Ottawa Valley Seed Growers and Junior Farmers.

“Our rural community relies heavily on volunteerism and Cheryl Sullivan is an integral part of our successes,” says Doug Thompson, former Councillor/Mayor, Township of Osgoode.

“I am honoured to receive the 4-H Ontario Arbor Award. 4-H is a rewarding experience for so many, and I am privileged to be able to work with great groups of members, volunteers, board members and staff!” says Cheryl, 2025 Arbor Award winner.

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About 4-H Ontario

4-H Ontario is a non-profit positive youth development organization that builds youth as leaders within their communities and assets to the world. With roots in rural Ontario, today it is open to youth of all backgrounds across the province. 4-H youth ages 6–21 and screened, engaged volunteer leaders come together to learn about selected topics through fun hands-on activities and mentorship. There are also provincial camps, conferences, competitions and national and international travel opportunities available to further develop skills in leadership, business, self-confidence and more. 4-H provides youth with a place they can be involved, accepted, valued and heard while developing valuable skills for leadership and life.

For more information please contact:

Laura Goulding,

Manager, Communications, 4-H Ontario

519.803.5026, communications@4-hontario.ca