By: Ami Neiberger
(352)846-0996 ext. 237

Source: Lane Jimison
(352)846-0996 ext. 238

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                        February 26, 2002

TALLAHASSEE-It was a well-kept surprise. Even though twenty people were in on the secret, no one gave it away. 

Samual Ard was presented the 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award last week by U.S. Congressman Adam Putnam on behalf of the Florida 4-H Foundation, which managed to keep the award a secret from him for three months.

“Sam, you have shown that you care about the future of children in Florida and about the future of 4-H youth development,” said Putnam, as he presented the award to Ard during a reception and auction last week at the Capitol City Country Club.

The selection committee kept the award a surprise from Ard until the last possible moment, said Lane Jimison, executive director of the Florida 4-H Foundation. “He is such a wonderful person and a very humble one. We wanted to honor his commitment to raising funds to help young people and surprising him with the award was the only way to do it.”

Ard changed the face of the Florida 4-H Foundation by spearheading the development of an annual auction in Tallahassee that raised more than $39,000 this year and initiating a strategic planning process for its board, she said. “He has shown us the value of public awareness and helping people understand how 4-H can help all of Florida's children.”

Active in 4-H as a child growing up in Santa Rosa County, Ard has been a board member with the organization since 1996 and served as its president last year.

It’s not unusual for alumni to return to 4-H in adulthood as volunteers like Ard, said state 4-H leader Damon Miller. “Sam brings an energy and dedication to his work with 4-H that is inspiring and infectious,” he said.

The bustling youth program worked with 287,000 children last year across Florida’s 67counties, with the help of more than 14,000 adult volunteers who raise funds, mentor young people and assist with programs. “We can find a place for anyone to volunteer who likes to help young people,” said Miller.

Ard is a practicing attorney in the Tallahassee area, where he lives with his wife, Lee and their three children, Austin Lee, Samual James and Margaret Kay.

Previous recipients of the award have included: State Comptroller Robert Milligan, Bud “Irlo” Bronson and Lieutenant Governor Frank Brogan and his late wife, Mary Brogan.

The Florida 4-H Foundation is a direct support organization of the University of Florida. The 4-H youth development program is part of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. It provides hands-on educational programs for youth ages 5-18. For more information visit www.florida4h.org. 

Photo Available: Honored for Helping Young People
Samual Ard thanks assembled guests at the Florida 4-H Foundation’s annual auction at the Capital City Country Club. “Without your support it wouldn’t be possible for us to help so many kids through 4-H,” he said. Ard was presented the 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award by U.S. Congressman Adam Putnam last week. To request photo for news media, please contact Ed Blue, (352)846-0996, ext. 235. Photo available at www.florida4h.org under “news and info” area.

Read more about events in Tallahassee last week.

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