Dolly Dwyer’s love of 4-H began as a member during the Depression during her youth on a North Dakota farm. She was a 4-H club leader for most of her 62 years of service, and continues as a project leader. The clothing project is her greatest love, and she helped to start the annual Clothing Camp and A Day with Denim that utilizes recycled jeans. She has been active with 4-H Fashion Revue and judging clothing projects. To stimulate participation in public speaking, she developed a traveling resource kit. The contest grew from seven to over 160 presentations in formal, interview, broadcast, commercials and cowboy poetry.
Dolly has held every Leader’s Council office, started numerous clubs and recruited many members, volunteers and judges. She was instrumental in implementing a statewide Recreation Leadership Lab 30 years ago that remains strong today. She was a founding member of the Montana 4-H Foundation and Cascade 4-H Foundation, which over 35 years have grown to over $1 million and $350,000 respectively. Outside of 4-H, Dolly volunteers in numerous ways at church and in the community, including chair of a quilting group that donates quilts to local non-profits and leading Sewing Without Vision classes. Dolly received the first National 4-H Salute to Excellence Lifetime Volunteer Award in 2002.
