2025 Illinois 4-H Family Spirit Award

Illinois 4-H Family Spirit Award
Sponsored by the Illinois 4-H Alumni Association

The Illinois 4-H Family Spirit award recognizes an Illinois 4-H family who has substantially benefited from and continues to advocate for the Illinois 4-H program over at least three generations.

Nomination Deadline: March 15, 2025

The award was established by the Illinois 4-H Foundation in 2002 and continued with the Illinois 4-H Alumni Association in 2023.

View all past award winners online: https://4h.extension.illinois.edu/awards/4-h-family-spirit

Guidelines for Nomination:

Any family eligible to receive the award which has the following:
- A minimum of three generations of the family are represented.
- A minimum of 15 different family members (including in-laws) have either been 4-H members, leaders, or volunteers
- Have a minimum of 100 cumulative years of 4-H membership or volunteerism represented by the family.
Families will submit the following:
- Completed 4-H Family online Nomination
- "My Family 4-H Story", a maximum of 1200 words (max two pages) sharing how 4-H impacted your family and how your family has supported 4-H.
- A Family Tree. Please list each family member with the following information noted: Full Name, Relationship to Family Member, Date of Birth, Living or Deceased?., # years in 4-H, Home County/State.
- All materials must be submitted by the deadline.
Selection Process:
- A committee will review the nominations.
- One family will be selected statewide each year.
- Family contact will be notified following selection.
- Winners will be recognized one day at the 2025 Illinois State Fair, August 8-10.
- The 4-H Family Spirit award may only be received once per family.
All nominations will be kept on file for three years to be reviewed; however, nominators are encouraged to update forms if they are re-considered after the initial year of application.

Questions, please contact:

Tina Veal
4-H Alumni & Constituent Engagement Manager
Illinois 4-H Alumni Association
University of Illinois Extension State 4-H Office
801 N. Country Fair Drive, Suite E
Champaign, IL 61821
Phone: 217-333-0910 or Email: vealt@illinois.edu

Family Nomination

Each family should complete one family nomination form and submit.
Family Name (re: Mr. & Mrs. John Smith Family)*
Family Name should be name of most senior members. Please list as you would want it listed on the award.
Family Contact for Nomination*

First NameLast Name
Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email*
example@example.com
If you have a family photo, please upload. If not, one will be needed if your family receives this recognition.

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4-H Family Overview

List total number of family members per area.
Total Number of Generations Represented
Total Number of Family Members
# of 4-H Members in Family
Total Number of Years of 4-H Membership
Total Number of Years as Club Leaders
Total Number of Years as 4-H Volunteers
Total Number of Years as 4-H Professionals

Family Invovlement

List total number of family members that participated and include number of years.
National 4-H (Club) Congress
State Judging Team
National 4-H Leadership Conference
Attended 4-H Camp
National 4-H Dairy Conference
IFYE Exchange
Showed at the Illinois State Fair

4-H Family Story

Limit 1200 words, max 2 pages
Provide your "4-H Family Story" reflecting on how 4-H impacted your family and how your family has supported 4-H.**

0/1200

Family Tree
Please list all family members. Include Full Name, Relationship to Main Family Member, Address, Email, Date of Birth, Living or Deceased, # years in 4-H, Home County/State.*
Should be Empty:

Family Nomination

4-H Family Overview

Family Invovlement

4-H Family Story

Family Tree