Steve and Dinah Hannah (both on the far left) present a generous check to the Lewis County 4-H Foundation and Board President Bob Stultz (in center). The Hannahs were also 4-H members in Harrison County before raising their kids in the program.
The Hannah’s five-figure donation will help with upkeep of the Lewis County 4-H Center, which is located on Jesses Run Road near Interstate 79’s Exit 105 (Jane Lew).
Clara Mae Spray, center, cuts the ribbon for the Lewis County 4-H Center in 2021. Spray was a founding member of the group that spearheaded the effort to establish the center back in 1977.
Kristi Gannon, right, and Debby Walker are both part of the Lewis County 4-H Youth Foundation and were recognized for serving 25 years as volunteer leaders.
Steve and Dinah Hannah (both on the far left) present a generous check to the Lewis County 4-H Foundation and Board President Bob Stultz (in center). The Hannahs were also 4-H members in Harrison County before raising their kids in the program.
Submitted photo
Lewis County 4-H training last week not only included many 4-H members but Steve and Dinah Hannah ensuring the program’s growth with a check donation.
Submitted photo
The Hannah’s five-figure donation will help with upkeep of the Lewis County 4-H Center, which is located on Jesses Run Road near Interstate 79’s Exit 105 (Jane Lew).
Staff file photo by Jonathan Weaver
Clara Mae Spray, center, cuts the ribbon for the Lewis County 4-H Center in 2021. Spray was a founding member of the group that spearheaded the effort to establish the center back in 1977.
File photo
Members of the Lewis County 4-H Youth Foundation dedicate the 4-H building on Jesses Run in November 2021 with other Lewis County leaders.
Submitted photo
Kristi Gannon, right, and Debby Walker are both part of the Lewis County 4-H Youth Foundation and were recognized for serving 25 years as volunteer leaders.
JANE LEW, W.Va. (WV News) — It’s been decades since Steve and Dinah Hannah have been part of the 4-H program, but they know what it means for youth and wanted to ensure its success.
The couple who now live in Clarksburg donated a $25,000 check to the Lewis County 4-H Youth Foundation during the 4-H Officers Training School at the 4-H Center on Jesse Run Road in Jane Lew.
“We’ve talked about (making the donation) for years,” Steve Hannah, who said the couple lived in Lewis County for several years, said. “It’s a good organization and teaches kids so much responsibility and to look beyond themselves. Kids who are not in such an organization might not know how to have the responsibility of others within an organization.”
The couple grew up in the 4-H tradition of personal development, service and “making the best better”, and supporting youth and the 4-H program is near and dear to their hearts.
Steve was part of, and sometimes the president of, the Nutter Fort 4-H club before graduating from Salem College while Dinah was elsewhere within Harrison County.
“I remember when the organization purchased the land for the Lewis County 4-H Center in Jane Lew and really didn’t have the money to develop it,” he said. “But, the last couple of years, they’ve really done an outstanding job with the facilities there. We wanted to help them along with the process.”
Also formerly the WVU Jackson’s Mill camp manager in the 1970s, Steve Hannah also worked with judging teams and won competitions. He has returned to the camp “several times.”
“Everything might not always be great, but you still have to strive to do the best you can with whatever you’re working on,” he said. “This will do an awful amount of good for a lot of people.”
Debra Walker, Youth Foundation vice-president and adult leader of the Jackson’s Mill Generals 4-H Club, said the one-time donation will be used “to help maintain and further develop the 4-H Center so it can be a place where youth can develop life skills such as leadership, cooperation, problem solving and planning for their futures.
The Foundation is grateful for the gift, which will benefit 4-H members now and in the future by helping to create a place for them to learn and grow.
“It’s a very generous gift that will help secure the financial future of the 4-H Foundation and take care of the 4-H Center property, help in case we need something repaired or upgrades,” she said.
Steve and Dinah Hannah’s grandson, Lucas Turner, is president of the Jackson’s Mill Generals 4-H Club. Lucas attends Lewis County High School in Weston.
Senior Staff Writer Jonathan Weaver can be reached at 304-626-1446 or jweaver@theet.com
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