4-H Ontario is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 4-H Ontario Arbor Award, a prestigious honour recognizing exemplary volunteer service with 4-H Ontario and the community.
In 2025, the following three volunteers were recognized with this distinct award: Sharon Halpenny (Grenville 4-H Association), Kris McNaughton (Chatham-Kent 4-H Association) and Cheryl Sullivan (Carleton 4-H Association).
The recipients were honoured at the 4-H Ontario Arbor Awards Banquet on March 22, 2025. Each of the recipients received an award featuring a hand-crafted metal sculpture of a tree and, in addition, a tree will be planted in a location of their choice in honour of their contributions to the 4-H program and their community.
“Our 2025 4-H Ontario Arbor Award recipients are truly incredible people who have given so much of themselves to 4-H over the years,” says Megan Burnside-Poitras, Volunteer & Database Manager, 4-H Ontario. “The difference they’ve made in the lives of youth and volunteers is immeasurable. Their kindness, dedication, and passion are beautiful reminders of what makes the 4-H community so special.”
Established in 2001 during the International Year of the Volunteer, the 4-H Ontario Arbor Award recognizes a select group of 4-H Ontario volunteers who have served the organization for over 10 years and have positively impacted 4-H and their local community. This is 4-H Ontario’s most prestigious volunteer award.
To be eligible to receive the award, 4-H Ontario volunteers must be nominated by their local 4-H Association. Nominees must have shown significant leadership, initiative and made a positive impact on 4-H at various levels. In addition, nominees must have other involvement within their community or other volunteer organizations. The selection committee consists of previous Arbor Award winners.
Here is more information on McNaughton:
Kris McNaughton has been a 4-H volunteer for over 30 years with the Chatham-Kent 4-H Association and the Huron 4-H Association. During this time, she has led 46 projects, been part of numerous committees, and served as the association president. She has been instrumental in bringing 4-H to the broader community, starting the bicycle and engineering Lego projects, as well as leading Cloverbuds.
“Her passion for educating youth and providing them with the necessary skills and tools to be their best selves as they become contributing members in their community is evidence of her own core values,” says Rob Reid, a colleague of Kris.
Kris’ fellow volunteers share that she is always willing to give her time and expertise, and she is admired for her kind, thoughtful nature and generosity. In addition to dedicating her time to 4-H, Girl Guides, Let’s Talk Science, and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair to name a few, Kris is also a Guardian Network volunteer and crisis responder with Chatham-Kent Victim Services.
“I have personally worked alongside Kris on numerous calls and have firsthand seen her compassion for people suffering trauma and lending a friendly ear. Kris is the type of person that everyone should strive to be like,” says Laura Wright, Crisis Support Coordinator.
“Thank you to 4-H, my family and friends who have taught me so much. It is their support that has allowed and encouraged me to volunteer and enjoy the 4-H program. I’ve been continually inspired by the incredible volunteers I’ve had the privilege of working alongside. Their dedication and passion fuel me to give my best each day and to Learn To Do By Doing. I love catching the moment in a youth’s face when they move from ‘I think I can do this’ to ‘I know I can do this’! Their excitement and enthusiasm are inspiring,” says Kris, 2025 Arbor Award winner.
