To the editor,
As we all start heading into our fall school activities, I wanted to take a moment and say a big thank you to all of the supporters and helpers who made the Jasper County Fair a reality this year!
Although many sports and school activities have great volunteers, I’m not sure many of you know that our county fair would not be possible without the many dedicated leaders, fair board members, superintendents and volunteers who donate their time not only during fair week in July but throughout the year to support the 4-H and FFA youth in our community.
Did you know that many take a week off of work so they can camp at the fair, working night and day to make the event a success? Our fair is not heavily supported with county funding so it is only possible through the many hours of volunteer work and efforts.
Throughout the year, leaders and superintendents put in many hours assisting youth with their projects. If you drive by the fairground throughout the year, you’ll find volunteers mowing the fairgrounds and planting flowers, as well as fair board members hosting fundraisers and working events in support of the grounds.
The kids themselves put in many hours of work on their projects, whether that’s getting up early each and every day before school to feed and water their animal projects (even in the dead of winter), to spending hours putting together a quilt, or doing community service projects, the 4-H and FFA youth in our community are busy doing good work.
We hear a lot about youth and the bad things they do, but you need to attend a local 4-H or FFA meeting, or make sure to visit next year’s Jasper County Fair to realize that we have many great kids, doing great work in our communities.
Thanks again for all those who had a part in making the Jasper County Fair yet again a success this year — your efforts are truly recognized and appreciated by the 4-H/FFA youth and their families. The 4-H and FFA programs are one of the great part of living in Iowa and Jasper County!
Kim Miller
Newton