Service Projects Open Indiana FFA Convention

For some Indiana FFA members the annual state convention kicked off Monday prior to the opening session as four separate groups took part in community service projects. State office Sarah Correll welcomed the group at the Armory before they started their work. She told HAT she would like to see this idea become an annual convention feature.

“This is the first time it’s happened in my FFA career and the first time it’s ever happened on quite this scale. We have about 170 students this year and the most I’ve ever done were just some smaller projects like roadside cleanups, which was definitely excellent, but we’ve stepped up our game a little bit this year and I’m really hoping it becomes an annual event after this.”

In the Armory a large group packed 20,000 meals for Kids Against Hunger. Others went out into Lafayette to serve.

“We’re also sending a group of students out to the amphitheatre project through Lafayette Parks and they will be replacing springs in the seats there. And we also have over 30 students going to Food Finders to work on several different projects there.”

Junior Makayla DePoy helped prepare the meals for Hoosiers in need. Service is something she is accustomed to as a member of Plymouth FFA.

“We sent quilts over to people fighting in the war for us, and we donated food,” she said. “It really gives me a good feeling to think about what would happen if that was ever me, kind of karma. So I give back now while I can and maybe hopefully if I’m ever in that spot somebody will help me out.”

Senior Laura Crosby from the Southwestern Shelby FFA chapter was there to help, and she has had a lot of volunteer experience.

“I’ve done service projects at national convention and recently I went on a mission trip. I’ve never done the packing the food but it makes me feel good knowing I’m helping somebody younger or older than me that is less fortunate.”

Crosby’s mission trip was to tornado torn Joplin, Missouri where she helped build tornado shelters, put siding on houses, and helped with a garden project at an elementary school for the little kids.”

The 83^rd state convention opening session Monday night at Purdue’s Elliott Hall of Music featured the retiring address by Jacob Mattox and the keynote from Scott McKain, former Indiana state president and national FFA officer, and now an author and national and worldwide speaker. Convention continues through Wednesday.[audio:https://www.hoosieragtoday.com//wp-content/uploads//2012/06/FFA-conventin-begins-with-service.mp3|titles=FFA conventin begins with service]