This year at ALC, Area 1 will mimic what Texas FFA is doing for their service project. See all the details here: https://convention.texasffa.org/ServiceProject and be sure to bring your denim items to check-in on Tuesday, June 17 in the BAC. Look for the boxes and signage for you to drop off.
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, school boards, 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