Time management, goal setting, public speaking, responsibility and caring for others are just a few of the qualities that the Hennenfent Family of Knox County has mastered through their over 65 years of 4-H involvement. Whether it was the confidence that Jeff developed that gave him the nerve to ask his wife out following a 4-H show or how Katie overcame her fear of public speaking by taking the focus off of her, using her father as a real life pig prop, the Hennenfent family has reaped the benefit of their involvement in 4-H programs.
The Hennenfent Family of Knox County will be presented with the 2008 Illinois 4-H Family Spirit Award on Saturday, August 9, during the 4-H Family Event at the Illinois State Fair. Collectively, the Hennenfent family has 37 different individuals who have been 4-H members, leaders, or volunteers. Cumulatively, the families represent 310 years of 4-H club membership, 48 years of serving as a 4-H club leader, and 335 years of being 4-H volunteers.
Leo and Shirley Hennenfent raised ten children; all of which joined the Henderson Aggies 4-H Club by the age of 9. As local farmers, Leo and Shirley strongly believed in using the land to provide for their large family. They used 4-H as a tool to educate their children on how to grow crops, preserve the food they grew, cook and become unique individuals by exploring new project areas. Since then, this desire to teach has spanned over four generations of 4-H members, including seventeen grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Rebecca Hennenfent states, “It is the bond that links generations together. Just look around at the Knox County 4-H show--- among the exhibitors, audience and volunteers--- everywhere you look, you will see a Hennenfent.”
In addition to seeing members of the Hennenfent family at the Knox County Fair, you may also see a very special showbox. The box, built by Leo and Shirley’s oldest son Mike, has been used at the fair for 53 consecutive years. Today, Mike’s grandson Blake continues to use the family tradition.
This desire to serve, learn and teach has extended beyond family lines to include numerous 4-H youth throughout Knox County and across the globe. Together, the Hennenfent family has had seven members who have served as club leaders, accounting for over 48 years of service. Two families have hosted exchange students from Costa Rica through the IFYE program.
The spirit to serve has lead to abundant hours of community service and volunteerism in Knox County. Members of the Hennenfent family assist with fair clean up, work at the 4-H food stand, act as project leaders, assist with Share the Fun skits and have been long-time volunteers for the Farm Safety Camp. The Hennenfent family of Knox County truly represents the 4-H “family spirit” of learning, leading and serving in their club, community, country and world.