Ceremony held in Palgrave to recognize long-time Peel 4-H volunteer

Carol Williams received the 2021 Ontario 4-H Arbor Award 

By Zachary Roman

A Caledon woman has been recognized for her over 30 years of volunteer service to Peel 4-H. 

Carol Williams was honoured with the 2021 Ontario 4-H Arbor Award in a ceremony at Norma Bangay Park in Palgrave on June 4.

The ceremony was held this year as Williams wanted to have a gathering of friends and fellow volunteers to celebrate with, which couldn't have happened during the pandemic. 

The Arbor Award is the most prestigious award that can be bestowed upon a 4-H volunteer. 

4-H is for youth aged six to 21 and is all about learning through hands-on activities and mentorship. Williams explained there's livestock and life skills components in 4-H, the latter of which she's dedicated her time to. 

Williams first became involved in 4-H when her daughter became a member. She started helping out and soon became an official volunteer. 

“I love it, just absolutely love it,” said Williams. “The kids are the best kids in the world.”

She explained she works with the older 4-H kids on skills like cooking, sewing, needlework, crafts, and gardening. Williams has done fishing clubs, a heritage club, taught quilting and more.

When she was young, Williams learned many life skills in home economics class at school. She was inspired and later went to Ryerson University to become a home economics teacher herself. 

“I've continued using all the skills that I learned from the time I was in Grade 7,” said Williams. 

Williams was very surprised when she learned she won the Arbor Award, as those close to her kept it a total secret. She said former 4-H members that she had in her clubs were the ones who nominated her. 

“Some of [them] were kids that I had [recommended] for scholarships… I explained to them how I had filled in their paperwork for scholarships,” said Williams. “One of the fellows said, ‘I remembered what you said and followed your instructions, that's how I filled in the nomination.'”

This was a great full-circle moment for Williams.

Williams now has a tree planted in her honour at Norma Bangay Park, as well as the Arbor Award itself which is a small metal sculpture she keeps in her house.

She thanked the Town of Caledon for graciously allowing the tree to be planted at the park where she can see it from her house. 

There were around 30 people at the ceremony celebrating Williams, including Ward 4 Councillor Nick de Boer — who is also involved with 4-H. Williams thanked de Boer for including her husband Al in the ceremony, as she said she couldn't have done all her volunteering without his support.

Over the years, Williams has formed lifelong friendships and learned a lot from being a 4-H volunteer. She still loves teaching life skills and greatly enjoys the fellowship of 4-H volunteers from all around Ontario.