FFA members make 375 blankets during Living to Serve Day

DRG Media Group coverage of the South Dakota State FFA Convention held April 11-13, 2021, is brought to you by Schlachter Lumber in Gettysburg, Grossenburg Implement, Sioux Nation in Fort Pierre, Oahe Grain in Onida, Kennedy Implement in Philip, First National Bank, Gettysburg Collision Center, Sunrise Bank in Onida and Darren Boyle Sales.

The blue corduroy jacket is a familiar symbol of the FFA organization, worn as part of official dress during most FFA activities. On April 12^th at the South Dakota FFA convention in Rapid City, as part of a SD FFA Living to Serve Day, members removed their jackets and rolled up their sleeves to help keep people warm.

Grants from Pioneer-Corteva and the National FFA made this project possible. This service project exemplified the portion of the FFA motto which states “Living to Serve” by teaming up with industry to make a difference in our local communities. SD FFA members cut and tied 375 fleece blankets, in chapter work groups, throughout the day-long event. Members stopped in between visiting the Career Carnival and participating in competitive events throughout convention and left the event knowing that by giving a few minutes of their time they would make a significant difference in the life of a person less fortunate then themselves.

The 375 blankets were taken home by the chapters that made them, to distribute to local shelters, nursing homes and others, providing a bit of hope to carry those in need through another day.

“The FFA organization believes strongly in the fourth line of the FFA Motto “Living to Serve,” which is why we are very excited to receive grants from Pioneer-Corteva and the National FFA and be able to let FFA members spend just a little time in person to take something home to serve their community,” says Sandy Osterday, SD FFA Foundation President. “The past few years we have incorporated a community service event into our annual South Dakota FFA state convention. The event gives students the opportunity to work together with FFA members from across the state to make items that will help those in need, the grants allowed us to surpass our goal and have our most successful event since we started the Day of Service project. Knowing we are helping those in need across our state is a great feeling.”