DURAND FFA INTO HOLIDAY SPIRIT – Every year the Durand FFA Chapter hosts their Adopt-A-Family program to help support local families during the holiday season, and this year the 10 high school Ag classes teamed up to assist six families during the Christmas season. The students collected items for the six families over the course of two weeks and the Thursday before break they spent the day in the classroom wrapping all of the gifts (pictured).
In addition to the Ag classes, many others donated to the program, including: high school English teacher Marcy Long worked with her classes to make a fleece blanket for every family member; Jeff Frasle, a Math teacher at the high school, had his classes collect items for the families; countless teachers and community members donated money and food items; and local businesses such as Meijer, Walmart, Shaw’s Pharmacy, and Bert’s Lawn Maintenance donated money to purchase additional items for the families.
Durand FFA Advisor Torey Birchmeier reported having “outstanding help” from students and contributors alike. “Each family took a carload home of gifts for every member of the family, a laundry basket full of household items, a box of food and a ham. It’s my favorite time of the year. To see the excitement from all those involved in helping members of our community have a more enjoyable holiday season is heart-warming.”
(Courtesy Photo/Text Graham Sturgeon)
