OUTSTANDING LIFETIME VOLUNTEERS

Danny Pincus
2019

Danny serves on the Project SAFE Archery Advisory Committee and has been instrumental in implementing positive changes in the Georgia 4-H Archery program. He has the respect of other certified coaches. Coaches contact him directly for advice on leading local clubs and county programs.

Melvina Carlan
2018

With kindness and grace, she has served as coach for Forestry Judging, Poultry Judging, and Cotton Boll and Consumer Judging teams over the years. She also mentors youth in civic engagement and 4-H Project Achievement. Pickens County 4-H Clubs find her an invaluable asset to their clubs and appreciate the legacy she has made on young people throughout the years.

Kris Khlifi
2017

Though Kris is no longer an official staff member at the 4-H office, she is still in the office several times a week helping to enter enrollment forms, answer phone calls, picking up supplies, baking cupcakes for club meetings, organizing and printing materials… the list goes on. Kris is also one of our very important in-school club leaders. With over 100 club meetings each month, volunteers like Kris are essential to making sure we are able to stay in each and every school. Her classes continually lead in pop tab collection, Salvation Army donations, and fundraising efforts. Kris has also started a new (and very successful) 25 member 4-H Craft Club this year. Kris is always thinking outside of the box to ‘make the best better’ for the Columbia County 4-H program.

Traci Buckingham
2016

Well known for her strong work ethic, positive attitude, teamwork
mentality, leadership and diligence, Traci has served as an awesome advocate for 4-H! She has presented on 4-H’s behalf at local civic groups, participated in radio spots, and was featured as a speaker on the 4-H Showcase television program. Her many characteristics and dedication to 4-H and youth have impacted many to become successful in the classroom and at Georgia 4-H.

Yvonne Childs
2015

Her voluntary service spans both Georgia and Florida 4-H where her service to Georgia 4-H totals 56 years, but her total service to 4-H spans 68 years! She annually chaperones her county’s delegation to State 4-H Council, 4-H Summer Camps, District Project Achievement, and more! She makes a concerted effort to give all youth individualized attention as they build independence and mastery in Georgia 4-H Project Achievement. She even hosts 4-H’ers in her home to mentor youth and prepare them for project competition. In November of 2014, she coached seven 4th – 6th graders in rural Georgia to a first place project win at their area competitions.
Mrs. Childs’ highest recognitions include: Volunteer Leader of the Year in Florida in 1963, Outstanding Service to Georgia 4-H Clubs by the Georgia Volunteer Leaders Association in 1976-77, Grady County Farm Family of the Year in 1979 and 1984, Georgia Master 4-H’er of the Year in 1987 and 2000, Grady County Volunteer Leader M.O. Prince Award for Outstanding Leadership in 2005, and Southern Region Leader Forum Volunteer recognition for 34 years.
Mrs. Childs has served as a positive role model for thousands of 4-H’ers, and continues to mentor youth annually on their project competitions. Approximately forty youth have gained Georgia 4-H’s top honor of Master 4-H’er under her leadership and two have earned national wins. In 2014, all youth under her leadership gained top honors!
Mrs. Childs is innovative and strives to be a positive influence on all youth in need. This dedication is best shown by her ability to coach youth across county lines and assist in fundraising to allow all youth the opportunity to afford out of county experiences. Annually, Mrs. Childs and her 4-H’ers sell thousands of dollars’ worth of Vidalia Onions to raise funds for youth to attend 4-H Summer Camp.
Not only has she consistently made significant impacts on the youth in her community and areas surrounding, but her work was also instrumental in building the Georgia 4-H Volunteer Leadership Association in the late 1960’s where she has served in every elected office of the association and is highly regarded by her colleagues. In addition, she remains available to assist her local county agent to meet the needs of the youth in the area.