Oregon FFA Benefits from Wilco FFA Day

FFA Foundation Press Release
For Immediate Release, October 23, 2013

Oregon FFA Benefits from Wilco FFA Day

“And on the 8th Day…So God Made a Farmer” words forever memorialized from the Super bowl ad last January and introduced a new generation to the late Paul Harvey. To honor and to keep the traditions of farming alive through the FFA, on the 8th day of October, Wilco held its 2nd annual FFA Day event. FFA Day gave customers the opportunity to support the FFA with their everyday purchases as Wilco donated all the net proceeds from its 15 store locations raising more than $10,500 for the Oregon and Washington FFA programs. The much needed funds go toward supporting the many career, leadership and personal development activities within the FFA.

Since 2011 the Oregon FFA no longer receives any public funding. The program is dependent on donation and supporters such as Wilco. The FFA Day event is part of a broader FFA Forever Campaign of support that Wilco has pledged to help raise funds for the Oregon and Washington FFA Foundations. The FFA Forever Campaign also involves Wilco employees converting vacation time into a donation. There was also an FFA Month in August, with the sales of certain items supporting FFA as well as opportunities for customers and members to make donations matched by Wilco. Wilco will also be holding an upcoming silent auction at their annual member meeting in early 2014.

“Without Wilco’s support the FFA could not provide leadership and career development activities for our members”, said Kevin White, Executive Director of the Oregon FFA Foundation. “We are grateful for their support and the support of all our sponsors and donors as it provides the opportunity for our youth to learn and participate in agriculture”.

About the FFA

The FFA, commonly known as the Future Farmers of America, is a national youth organization of nearly 580,000 student members as part of over 7,500 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. The Oregon FFA has more than 5,000 members with nearly 120 chapters throughout Oregon. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agriculture education.

For more information:
Kevin White
Oregon FFA Foundation
541-604-1350