Congratulations to Irene Hoff, 2022 Youth Philanthropist of the Year! Irene is a smart, outgoing, creative young woman. She has been giving back to her community from a very young age. Inspired by her mother who was very involved in the South Routt community, Irene and her sister often accompanied their mother to volunteer at community events. Since that time Irene has gone out of her way to volunteer, lead, and participate in numerous activities within her community, church and school. In addition to all of her community service, Irene was a three sport athlete at Soroco High School participating in volleyball, basketball and track. When asked how she manages to do it all, she said she always tries to help out even if it’s for a few hours because she knows a little help goes a long way.
In her community Irene has worked tirelessly for years at the Taste of South Routt and Oak Creek Labor Day celebrations, helping set up, tear down and everything in between. As a member of the Soroco High School National Honor Society for the past three years, she collaborated with the South Routt Library district to celebrate Oak Creek Library’s grand opening, and has worked at the Literacy Carnival where she ran several booths. She has participated in and helped organize benefit dinners for a variety of community members. As a member of the Soroco Student Council, she committed to and participated in every school event (there were many). Irene was also involved in the Federation of Agricultural Associations (FAA) at her school. Through FFA she participated in agricultural events at the elementary school and served dinner at the Rout County Fair the last two years. She was very involved in her high school and took the leadership role in the organizing the 2021 prom. Irene is very passionate about art so when she was asked to paint inspirational murals in the middle school bathrooms, she happily obliged. At the middle school, Irene also served as a classroom teaching assistant going above and beyond what was expected of her.
Irene believes in searching for ways to better her community. Living in such a small town, Irene always felt supported and appreciated. “Volunteering should be something everyone should do. Giving back has helped me figure out what I want to do in life.”
Irene will be attending college at Kansas State and will study interior design. She will continue her work volunteering and hopes to coach volleyball one day.
We thank Irene for all that she has done for her community and look forward to seeing what great things she will do. Congratulations Irene!
