| FFA Nation

More than 1,000 members participate in annual FFA National Days of Service

Jessica Mozo | 08/30/2011 |

Helping others has a tendency to leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. So it’s not surprising one of the annual national FFA convention’s most popular activities is the National Days of Service, which gives FFA members a chance to help people in need.

“This will be the sixth year for National Days of Service,” says Kelsey Walls, program manager for the National FFA Organization. “The FFA National Days of Service is one of the most sought-after events for FFA members attending the national FFA convention. The program often reaches capacity within days of the opening of registration.”

At the 2011 National FFA Convention in Indianapolis this October, more than 1,000 spots will be open for FFA members to give their time and energy in a volunteer opportunity.

Eleven non-profit organizations in Indiana are lined up to benefit from the service activity and eagerly await the arrival of able-bodied FFA members.

Some of the work sites include Gleaners Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, Jameson Camp, Maplelawn Farmstead, Indy Parks, Joy’s House and Second Helpings. Participants will be doing everything from clearing brush and planting trees to assembling food boxes and rehabilitating houses.

Some state FFA associations also include a Day of Service event during their state conventions. Florida FFA held its fifth annual Day of Service in June, partnering with America’s Second Harvest Food Bank and Keep Orlando Beautiful.
“This year we had more than 9,000 pounds of food collected and donated to America’s Second Harvest Food Bank,” says Michael Rogalsky, education specialist for the Florida FFA Association. “More than 50 chapters participated in the event either by donating food or visiting one of the sites to volunteer.

We have a maximum of 50 students per volunteer shift, and each year those slots fill up within one week of opening.”