Vol. 27 | Iss. 07 | July 2023
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TOMPKINS NAMED TO FLORIDA 4-H HALL OF FAME
Staff Report
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Columns: Grace Notes: Hooked On Books: Faith & Footprints: News From The Wire:
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The UF/IFAS Extension 4-H law school served as UF Student Youth Development Program Government President, while and Florida 4-H Foundation also being Hillsborough County’s are honored to announce the youngest elected official. 2023 inductees to the FlorOne of Chris’ proudest achieveida 4-H Hall of Fame. Betsy ments was being named the naBarfield of Jefferson County, tional 4-H winner in Citizenship Todd Bundy of Gadsden and and receiving a silver tray from Leon Counties, William “Bill” the President of the United Hill of Polk and Hernando States. Counties, Larry Middour of “I can’t begin to express how Orange County and Christograteful I am that Christopher pher Tompkins of Hillsborhas been selected for the FloriBetty Jo Tompkins (center) will be on hand in August to accept a posthu- da 4-H Hall of Fame. This was a ough County (posthumous). mous 4-H Hall of Fame award for her son Christopher Tompkins. The Induction Event will be wonderful surprise and I know held August 3 at the University he’d be thrilled. He absolutely was of Florida Reitz Union. passionate about 4-H, and of course, Established in 2002 during the nathe Florida Gators”, notes him mom, tional 4-H centennial year, the Florida Betty Jo Tompkins. “Our family philoso4-H Hall of Fame recognizes outstandphy has always been: Always seek powing 4-H alumni, volunteers, professioner to do, never power to be and let your als and community leaders. Members spirit soar. That’s how we all felt about have made significant contributions to the Gator Nation and all that we were 4-H and their community through acblessed to do.” complishments in the areas of citizenFollowing law school at UF, Tompkins ship, leadership, career and character. worked with multiple elected officials Tompkins made a lasting impact on all before opening his own law practice in who knew him. His legacy of leadership Brandon, Florida. Chris Tompkins passed at a young age impacted the careers of away in 2005 at age 34 after a battle many fellow 4-H youth. Scott Brooks, kid to a state 4-H officer traveling the with leukemia. His legacy is marked by executive director of career, technical country, experiences that would impact dedicated service, authentic leadership, and adult education for Hillsborough his own career. This is a common testa- and a firm belief in the importance of County Public Schools, shares, “I am ment from those who knew Tompkins. citizenship and community service. not sure if there has ever been a stuSpecial thanks to 2023 Hall of Fame During his junior year in high school dent more decorated than Christopher he served as a Congressional Page, Sponsors Lewis, Longman, & Walker, Tompkins. His drive to succeed I have managing 4-H activities in both Florida PA and Friends of the Florida 4-H Founnot witnessed in any other; however, and Washington, D.C. and being named dation. Event and youth sponsorships instead of focusing on all his awards, the outstanding Republican Page both are available. his real impact was his ability to el- terms. As a student at the University 4-H is the youth development proevate others and encourage them to of Florida, Tompkins continued to suc- gram of the land grant university sysgrow personally.” Tompkins influenced ceed and serve. He became UF’s first tem and Cooperative Extension System. Brooks’ own evolution from a shy, quiet Truman Scholar, and in his final year of Learn more at florida4h.org
YOU MATTER TO ME PROVIDES RELIEF FOR MIGRANT FAMILIES ACROSS AREA
By Ava Benedict
“Your passion develops over time, but support families in need. your curiosity is what leads you down a Volunteers are always needed, particular path,” said Barbara Howard, and one of the best projects for founder of You Matter to Me. those who want to help are welCuriosity is what drove Howard to learn come bags, which contain necesmore about the struggles migrant families sities for moving migrant families. face as they move throughout the year. Toothbrushes, hair products and This led Howard to create the organization toilet paper are just some of the You Matter to Me in the spring of 2022, goods distributed through these focusing on supporting migrant students bags. These bags make a huge imand their families who have come to the pact on the lives of migrant famiarea for agricultural work. Howard said lies. that a big reason she created You Matter But it is not just those receiving Maurena Rotering proudly displays the to Me was to educate people on the mi- safety curtains she created for schools in help who have benefitted from the Ana Dans and her family provided books and toys grant farming lifestyle. Hillsborough County. organization’s work. Ana Dans and for migrant students in need. “It’s very fun for me to see how excited they “I saw a huge need in the migrant comher family donated toys and clothes munity, … but on the same side of the coin, it was are to have these things,” said Wanner. to migrant students through the program, an Wanner has helped bring furniture and other experience that allowed Dans’ children to learn to educate,” Howard said. Two-hundred and sixteen volunteers participat- goods to migrant families throughout the area, more about the challenges migrant families face. ed in a variety of projects this year, including cre- providing a sense of normalcy for them as they Both Wanner and Rotering agree that volunteerating goody bags for Valentine’s Day, snack bags move from place to place with limited help. Maure- ing has improved their lives and provided them for spring break and transporting furniture to na Rotering, another You Matter to Me volunteer, with an outlet to give back to those in need. homes. Volunteer Sally Wanner recalled how ex- has participated in countless projects since its For more information on You Matter to Me and cited migrant students were to receive the goods creation. She has sewn curtains, put together how to get involved, visit its Facebook page at baskets and goody bags and donated clothing to You Matter to Me - Lithia, FL. made for them.