The FFA Organization strives to teach the "Give Back" mentality for all of its members. At most of our area functions, we do our best to host or encourage a specific community service project. The following is a compiled list of either projects we have done as an area or chapters ideas we have curated over the years.
1. Seed drive to help with community gardens
2. Write letters to local nursing home residents. Who doesn't love to get mail?
3. Collect items for tornado, flood, fire and hurricane victims. Do a "stock the trailer" so the community can participate as well.
4. Spend a day helping a community that has been through a natural disaster.
5. Cut and tie fleece blankets to give away - our benefactor was Blankets and Beans Agape Ministry in Amarillo.
6. As always, we are mindful of the military men and women who are working hard to protect the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. We have put together some care packages to send to active military, including personal letters written by our FFA members. The following items we gathered up and included: new socks, beef jerky, lip balm, sunscreen, microwavable rice, canned chicken, water flavoring drops, gum, baby wipes, toothbrush, eye drops, dental floss
7. Collect school supplies, livestock supplies, canned goods for local children's homes. We have done several for High Plains Children's Home in Amarillo.
8. DNTTXTNDRVE workshop using golf carts on a course.
9. Collect items for local Toys for Tots program. Have a specific fundraiser for this program and take FFA members shopping for the items. Hold a wrapping night, watch Christmas movies and have snacks together.
10. Have the FFA members/officers raise the flag at Friday night football games, lead the pledge, pray, etc. before any athletic function in your town.
11. Have FFA members greet students unloading in lines from cars in mornings or afternoons - wear OD or FFA tshirts.
12. Host a meal or snacks for appreciation days/weeks/months ~ firefighters, police, law enforcement, first responders, etc.
13. Host a special event for special needs students or adults in your community.
14. Make floral arrangements for teachers, staff, hospitals, caregivers, widows, etc. in your community.
15. Have a pet toy making day using recycled jeans or old tshirts, then donate to local pet shelter or vet office. Volunteer for a Saturday cleaning cages or helping in these same places.
16. Volunteer at a local food bank.
17. Host an FFA barnyard, Ag Day or petting zoo for younger students. Teach them about where their food and fiber comes from.
18. Volunteer to wash fire/police/ambulance vehicles.
19. Add on another group with your fruit/meat sale ~ donate $1 for every turkey/ham sold to American Cancer Society, up to $1,000.
20. Utilize a chapter "service committee" to coordinate these activities.
21. Adopt a grandparent.
22. Hold a spring yard and community clean up.
23. Volunteer at your community celebrations to pass out water or pick up trash or assist the handicapped (4th of July, Christmas, St. Patrick's Day, etc.)
24. Build an ag mechanics item in the shop, have a silent or live auction, donate the proceeds to help a worthy cause.
25. Try to have a service project once a month, every other month or when the seasons change during the year.
26. Hold a coat and blanket drive.
27. Host a truck or treat around your track or courthouse square ~ pass out FFA related items as the "treats."
28. Decorate cookies together, then go Christmas caroling to local businesses, nursing homes, hospitals, etc. and give out the cookies and other treats.
29. Hold a personal hygiene drive and donate items to homeless shelters or make bags for members to keep in their vehicles to give to those in need.
30. Participate in the Texas FFA and National FFA Days of Service each year before their conventions.
31. Adopt a teacher in the school to keep them supplied with tissues, hand sanitizer, crayons, markers, paper, art supplies. Do the same for private people that offer lessons for music and art in their homes.
32. Carry out groceries for a Saturday for all the customers at your local grocery story. Visit with the customers, wear FFA shirts or OD.
33. Contact a local or statewide children's hospital (Cooks, MD Anderson, Ronald McDonald House) and see what their needs are.
34. Make pillowcases and add pillows to give to CPS or CASA in your community for children that leave home abruptly.
35. Participate in the Blue Jeans Go Green Denim Recycling Program: https://bluejeansgogreen.org/
36. Collect shoes for the Zappos for Good recycling program: https://www.zappos.com/c/zappos-for-good
37. Submit your own idea for a community service project for others to try! area1ffa@gmail.com
The following are emails from the recipients of the Socks for Soldiers community service project we did at leadership camp around 2011. Please note some items have been changed or deleted due to security.
On July 9th
Well im writing to say thank you from all of my team here in Iraq. Im a former Louisiana FFA president (1994-1995) . You guys are doing great things. Packages like these do more than you know. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Its nice to be able to look in your bag in your truck on a long day and have a good snack. And to know America still has caring people. My team Protects VIP's and Dept. of State personnel while in Iraq so were are always out there. Again thank you so much.
Christian Chatellier, High Threat PSD
Dyncorp Intl.,Shark Team #1
DoS CIVPOL / ICAS
Basra, Iraq
cchatl33@yahoo.com
cchatl33@gmail.com
On Jul 11, 2011, at 6:45 PM, Chandra Corse wrote:
> Hello Christian,
>
> Please forgive me for not knowing the proper way to address you . . .
> I'm sure there is a formal military way, so let me know.
>
> You are so welcome for the care package from the Area I FFA
> Association. Our students and teachers were teary-eyed and very
> respectful as they heard the story of Socks for Soldiers from the
> Millers, who came to camp to let us know about the program. We are so
> grateful for your service to our country and appreciate the job you
> are doing to help ensure our safety and freedom. How appropriate that
> you were a former state officer in the FFA and we hope your time in
> the FFA proved beneficial for your current position in the military.
>
> I want to check with you and see if it is ok if I forward this email
> to the 106 teachers in the Area I FFA Association, who will in turn
> let their students know about your message. Also, is it ok if I post
> your email on our website, www.area1ffa.ffanow.org? If there is some
> kind of protocol or other proper channels to do so, just let me know.
>
> Please let us know how we can help you in the future -- we are praying
> for you daily.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Chandra S. Corse
> Executive Secretary
> Area I FFA Association
On July 11th
Well you did it just perfect. Call me Christian. I will give you a little background on myself and what we do here.
Im from a small southern Louisiana town. I was a Chapter and State President in FFA 93 or 94 Through 95.
We own a Nursery and Landscape company there where I worked for years. I went into the Law Enforcement side as a Sheriff Deputy . K-9, Narcotics Detective then was hired as a State Trooper. I was there 8 years. I was then hired by the US State Dept working for the military as a police advisor to Iraq police forces. We trained them. Im now a Protection agent with the State Dept Protecting officials, Advisors, VIP personnel and whoever may fall under Dept of state or Dept of Defense. So we are a private Contractor or Private Military company (Mercinary) as some may call us with a very dangerous and unforgiving job. We have a great group of guys here who are away from their families 10 months out of the year. We do all this for the military. So we are not military personnel anymore. Most guys are prior Law Enf or Prior Army, Airforce, Marine, Navy. Great hard workers. We all thank your group for the package. It put smiles on our faces to receive them and also knowing people at home care. Thanks again and you can publish or forward the emails. I did not put the company name for that reason. Ill send a picture of myself over here at work. thanks again.
Christian Chatellier
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "McNurlan, Butch CPT USA CENTCOM Contracting Command"
<butch.mcnurlan@afghan.swa.army.mil>
Date: Wed, 6 Jul 2011 17:07:08 +0430
Subject: Socks in a Box
To: area1ffa@gmail.com
Cc: "Dunn, Daniel I USA LtC USAF SCO-A" <daniel.i.dunn@afghan.swa.army.mil>
Dear FFA Members,
(A heart-felt thank-you, inspired by "Fox in Socks", by Dr. Suess)
It's wonderful to hear from the great state of Texas
and the Future Farmers of America that care about us.
While it could have been fun
to see a red fox jump out of the box.
It is certainly no pun
that we're joyful to have, a whole lot of socks.
Now here's a care package that really rocks!
We appreciate the hand shavers, they make dealing with our whiskers
safer.
And our teeth sure like the new brushes to keep our smiles luscious.
Our ears like the Q-tips, so we can hear all sorts of sounds like Hip,
Hip!
For cleaner bodies we sure like the soap. Thank goodness it's not on a
rope. Hoorah!
The baby wipes and shampoo...
help keep us clean and wipe away any... drool.
But above all else, it is our feet that love the new treat
Why with wearing white socks they now feel so complete.
Thank-you, thank-you! For the thoughtful gift that rocks.
Thank-you, thank-you! Especially for the new socks, in a box.
Very Respectfully,
CPT Butch McNurlan
Operations Officer
SCO-A Operations
Camp Phoenix
butch.mcnurlan@afghan.swa.army.mil
Hello Chandra,
You can call me Butch. However, when posting publicly, please know that
I am address by Rank and last name. My rank is Captain. So I would
more formally be addressed or referred to as Captain McNurlan or CPT
McNurlan.
Thanks again for the socks and toiletry accessories. I am leaving in
two weeks for mid-tour leave. I get two weeks away from here. I will
be going to Germany. Don't dare go home. Might not be able to bear
getting back on the plane. For my leave, I was thinking that I was
going to have to buy some white socks. My boot socks are green, tan or
black. There's no way I'm going to wear those socks with civilian
clothes. They won't work. So your sock are like manna. Well, maybe
not quite manna. But they are timely and definitely appreciated.
Also, all the toiletries are going with me. Thanks so much for
everything!
You can post my earlier e-mail. I am flattered that you like it that
much. Thank you for the prayers. Prayers are powerful.
Very Respectfully,
CPT Butch McNurlan
Operations Officer
SCO-A Operations
Camp Phoenix
APO, AE 09320
butch.mcnurlan@afghan.swa.army.mil
From: "Hagyard, Thomas J USA Mr CIV SCO-A"
> <thomas.j.hagyard@afghan.swa.army.mil>
> Date: Sat, 9 Jul 2011 16:17:12 +0430
> Subject: Thank-you for the Care Package July 9, 20111 (UNCLASSIFIED)
> To: area1ffa@gmail.com
> Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
> Caveats: FOUO
> Dear Texas Future Farmers of America;
Thank-you for the care package you mailed to Afghanistan. I liked the travel sized soaps, mouth wash and tooth paste. Can take these items with me when traveling. The playing cards were also a very thoughtful idea. It's so nice to receive such considerate packages, which cheer a person up.
>
> Tom,
> Thomas J. Hagyard
> Procurement Officer
>
> Senior Contracting Official - Afghanistan
> CENTCOM Contracting Command
Area 1 FFA,
Just wanted to send a special thanks to you and your team! Your
donations and care packages are most appreciated and it definitely helps
us with morale over here!! We were overwhelmed with joy and thought your
display of support was just an awesome act of kindness. We are extremely
grateful for all that you do!!!
If you send anymore care packages in the future, I have a few others on
my team if you think of them next time:
LS1 Rosana Lima, SSgt Thomas Barry, MSgt Scott Taylor, and BMCS Aaron
Ward.
Address is the same as mine- 5FSD, Camp Leatherneck, FPO AE 09372
Thank you again for all that the FFA Area 1 Association does for us!!!
Most appreciated:)
Captain Laura Mckendrick
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: FOUO
Thanks to everyone who provided, prepared, and shipped all of the great
items to us here at Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan. They will be enjoyed by
all of the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines here. We really
appreciate your generosity and thoughtfulness.
I received three boxes and was surprised to see that much. Several days
later we were shocked to see five additional boxes.
All of the items were provided to the base chapel where they have been
distributed out to the young guys who need them most.
Thanks again!
Dan Dunn
DANIEL I. DUNN, Lt Col, USAF
Chief of Operations
Senior Contracting Official - Afghanistan
DSN: 318-237-6585
Texas FFA-Area 1 Association
Let me start by saying thank you. My name is Pat Jones and I am a Project Manager of a company called Tundra. Our roll here in Afghanistan is to provide security for the US Soldiers here at Camp Pasab. We train local nationals to work in the guard towers and over see the safety of American Soldiers. These guys work 12 hour shifts in the heat here and they do not complain at all. I have been working in Afghanistan for 3 years now and I have trained the Afghan National Police and also the Afghan Border Patrol. But, I must say these guys are very dedicated to provide proper and a safe living environment for the American Soldiers.
Well a couple of days ago we had a fire in the con pound. We lost everything we had. My guys lost their personal clothes, uniforms, passports, money, and family pictures. and still my guys did not complain. At shift change the guys came in and switched uniforms and boots to continue the mission to protecting the American Soldiers. I reached out to the Military for assistance and they gave us some care packets from you guys.
Needless to say, a few of them broke down and were thanking me for providing such items. I had my translator tell the guys it came from Texas FFA-Area 1 Association. Well the Tundra Guards did not understand that but they were very thankful as was I.
It made me feel proud to be an American to know that people like you back home still care for us over here. It also felt good to know that our Army counterpart jumped right in and gave a big hand of help.
We are in the process of rebuilding now and the Company I work for is really going the extra mile to get our guys back on line.
Well again, I just wanted to say thank you for keeping the American Soldiers and also the American contractors close to your hearts
Patrick Jones
Project Manager - FOB Pasab
Tundra Strategies
Patrick.Jones@tundra-Strategies.com
SKY PE - PJones2451
www.tundra-security.com
Area 1 FFA-
I'm writing to say thank you for the package and notes you sent. The chapel gets many care packages each month from loving people around the states in support of our Soldiers. I try to write an email or post card to each one saying thank you. I sometimes get behind on this b/c I have other responsibilities like spending time with Soldiers. My assistant and I put up the little notes and encouraging things on a wall in the chapel so all the Soldiers can see them when they come to church. It adds color to an otherwise boring interior. We don't put the addresses on the wall, just the notes. I assume FFA stands for Future Farmers of America. My grandfather was a rose farmer in Tyler TX, so I have an appreciation for farmers of various kinds. My father was the first in the family to finish college and so he always told me how important education is. He became a doctor. I went back to school to get a master's degree in biblical studies and counseling so I could be a Chaplain in the Army. I love my job! It's starting to cool down a little bit here and we are glad for that. It's been a hot summer. Thanks again for all of your support and prayers. We appreciate them all! Blessings to you and yours.
Sincerely, Chaplain Sanders
3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division
Brent D Sanders
<bsanders72@sbcglobal.net>
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: FOUO
I am MAJOR Don Ellison from Claude, Texas. My unit received much needed
support recently. The water in Afghanistan is really harsh on clothing.
The items shipped helped replace countless soldiers clothing. The other
"goodies" increased the morale of the entire Forward Operating Base
(FOB).
On behalf of my Soldiers and our 13 Coalition partners at Camp Alamo,
Thank you for the support.
Tashakur, (thank you)
Don
DONALD ELLISON, JR
MAJ, FA
Executive Officer
DET 64, 95th DIV
DSN: 318-237-6055
SIPR: 308-236-3036
Cell: 070-661-6813
"TOO EASY"
"Don't grow a wishbone where your backbone should be." CSM R Upton.
Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: FOUO