National FFA Week is Feb. 18-25—and as part of the celebration, the week is also about recognizing the service that FFA members provide to the community.
“It’s a great opportunity that you can not only use to grow yourself but help others,” says Braden Reamer, an FFA member and senior at Tri Junior-Senior High School south of New Castle. Reamer was one of several FFA members from Tri-High who were on hand Monday as the National FFA Organization donated 1,100 travel book pillows that were made during the National FFA Convention last November to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of central Indiana.
“We have over 50 families staying with us right now and these book pillows always just really bring a smile to the families’ faces when they come in,” says Karen Doe, Director of Operations for the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Indianapolis, which helps support the families of kids who are being treated at The Riley Hospital for Children at IU Health.
“The children being treated at Riley are going through really difficult time, so if this is something they can grab and give them some comfort, it really helps us out,” says Doe.
The 1,100 travel book pillows were made with the help of a non-profit organization called Book Pillows of Hope, which is based in central Indiana and was started by retired schoolteacher Kathy Buck.
“We are so grateful for the FFA organization,” says Buck. “1,100 pillows were a huge addition to what we make every month. It was incredible how these kids had not even sown before—yet, they came in with a smile, they were ready to take part, and they were ready to learn and listen.”
Reamer says that in addition to helping donate the travel book pillows, that the Tri-High FFA Chapter is heavily involved with the community in Henry County.
“One of the biggest things we do is that we set up a festival for our local kids because our community is rural and spread out. There’s not a lot of opportunities for kids just go out and walk around and trick or treat, so we set that up,” according to Reamer.
He adds that says he grateful for his experience in FFA and getting the opportunity to serve his community.
“It’s helped me grow as a person,” says Reamer. “Before, I didn’t have too many opportunities to go and just give back to the community. Through FFA, I’ve had a lot a ton of opportunities to help people, help foster growth, and help people in need.”
Click HERE to read more about the partnership between National FFA and Book Pillows of Hope that led to more than 1,100 travel book pillows that were made by FFA members during the National FFA Convention last November.
Click BELOW to hear C.J. Miller’s news report for Hoosier Ag Today.
