Brooke Lamb, of Dowagiac, volunteers at the Cass County Fair, which runs now through Sunday.

 

In what capacities do you volunteer at the fair?

I am the superintendent for the dog program, cat and small animal sweepstakes. The dog program I took over about five years ago when I aged out of 4-H. Last year I started the cat program back up because it was in pocket pets for awhile. So we brought them back so I could create a small animal sweepstakes because prior to that dogs, chickens and rabbits were not part of any sweepstakes.

 

When is the small animal sweepstakes?

The small animal sweepstakes — this is the second year — will be Friday. The top showmen from dogs, cats, chickens and rabbits go up against each other for a title, just like the large animal sweepstakes.

 

What does it take to get ready for the fair?

It is a yearlong process. I find all my own sponsors… paperwork, finding judges, plus I train the kids. This year I didn’t have as many countywide workouts, but I like to have countywide workouts where the kids can come.

It is all about the kids. My philosophy is to help them learn as much as possible so it is a yearlong event.

 

Why do you devote so much time to the fair?

I have a sister in the program and I grew up in the program since I was 4. So I’ve been in the program over 20 years and I can’t see not being a part of it. The goal is to keep it going because these kids deserve a lot the credit for what they do. Yes it takes a lot of volunteers to do it, but the kids do the hard work.

 

What is your favorite part about volunteering at the fair?

Watching the kids participate and that doesn’t mean that they have to win. My favorite ones are the ones that come out of the classes laughing because they realize what they did wrong.

Those moments when the kids realize it is about learning and it is about having fun and the sportsmanship you see come out of it. 4-H is about turning our youth into wonderful assets of our community and helping them learn and strive to be the best that they can — to make their best, better, is our motto.

That’s my favorite part, helping the kids. If the kids weren’t around I wouldn’t be around just because there wouldn’t be a purpose.

 

Why is it important to volunteer?

Volunteering is the only way things are going to get done. Volunteers generally love what they do. Volunteering just helps our community. Not everything that needs done can be paid for. Without volunteers we wouldn’t have this program.