By Sabrina Robertson
from The County Insider
Office of the County Manager
April 30, 2019 10:00 a.m.
On Friday, April 12, 2019, the Board of County Commissioners recognized Ms. Wanda Simmons as Nassau County’s Volunteer of the Year during the 34th Annual Volunteer Recognition Event held at the Atlantic Recreation Center. This event celebrates volunteerism throughout Nassau County and dozens of businesses and organizations are in attendance to share and recognize volunteers who have gone above and beyond to make Nassau County a better place to live, work and play.
Ms. Wanda Simmons was nominated by Nassau County Extension Director, Rebecca Jordi, for her outstanding leadership and tireless efforts in providing educational programs and volunteer activities for the County’s 4-H Program. Ms. Jordi stated, “Her leadership and dedication to 4-H are assets for agents, members, parents, and club leaders as she is extremely knowledgeable, approachable and kind”.
The impact Ms. Simmons has made through her work at the Nassau County Extension Office is truly remarkable. She began volunteering with the Extension 29 years ago with an interest in poultry and after only 1 year, she was leading the 4-H Poultry Judging Team and is now the County’s primary 4-H Poultry Project Leader. She holds workshops on care, selection and showmanship and has sent several teams to the National Poultry Judging Contest, all of which have all placed in the top 10. She holds annual clinics and organizes the multi-county event at the Northeast Florida Fair.
Ms. Simmons is the primary club leader of the Callahan Country Kids 4-H Club and has organized numerous community projects with the children including town clean-up events, beautification projects in public spaces, food drives, donations for families in need, and often visits the Council on Aging to play games and interact with the elderly.
In addition to leading workshops and club meetings, Ms. Simmons is an integral part of the County’s embryology program. She donates eggs to local schools and volunteers in the classrooms to spark youth interest in 4-H and embryology. In one case, a school became so inspired that they petitioned their city to allow chickens at the school for after school programs. Ms. Simmons happily donated two birds to the program and continues to stay in contact, visiting the school often.
Ms. Simmons has earned the respect and gratitude of the employees of the Extension Office, as well other volunteers and the youth involved in 4-H. When asked why she volunteers, Ms. Simmons stated, “4-H is a wonderful program. There are so many opportunities for youth to gain knowledge and learn life skills. Most youth involved in 4-H turn out to be successful adults who give back to their community. What else could you ask for”?
Congratulations Ms. Simmons on being selected as Nassau County’s Volunteer of the Year for 2019. We appreciate all that you do for the residents of Nassau County.