Suffield FFA Donation to Aid Haitians in Receiving Medical Care

With a formality befitting a civic organization, the Suffield chapter of the FFA (formerly known as the Future Farmers of America) met at the agriscience wing of Suffield High School to conduct scheduled business and offer a check to the Good Shepherd organization, a local charity dedicated to offering assistance in the form of medical care to Haiti. The proceeds of their annual pumpkin sale, an amount totaling $500, were presented to a representative of Good Shepherd.

With the officers of the club dressed in shirts, ties and specially made FFA jackets, the meeting was conducted according to Robert's Rules of Order with a formality little seen even within the halls of government. Recently returned from a trip to the national FFA convention in Indianapolis, IN, the group celebrated its contributions and shared two slide show demonstrations from the journey.

Andre Touissant won a spot in the national FFA chorus and performed a solo of one of the songs he performed in the arena on the national stage. With guitar accompaniment provided by Jessica Jordan, Toussaint sang “I Won't Let Go” by the country music group Rascal Flatts to the delight of the assembly.

Allie McDonald presented the check to Good Shepherd Foundation representative Katie McGurn. The check, in the amount of $500, represented the fruits of the efforts of the FFA in selling pumpkins. The group sold a total of 43 pumpkins.

“Ms. McGurn came to our floral class to talk to us about her trip to Haiti over the summer with the Good Shepherd Foundation,” McDonald said. “We were all very moved by her speech about the medical clinic and orphanage...so as a class we decided to do a fundraiser with the Pumpkins for Purpose.”

The Good Shepherd Foundation is basically the group of eight people, including two doctors and three nurses, which run the clinic in Haiti. McGurn visited the impoverished nation over the summer and assisted at the clinic. She said they were to be open for two days, but stayed an additional day to accommodate the demand for medical care.

 “We managed to start this clinic weekly in this village which had no medical care,” McGurn said. “This money will be going directly to the clinic as soon as it is deposited. It will go directly to pay for the doctors and nurses and to buy medication. It is our goal to keep this clinic going, hopefully forever.”

“Imagine having to walk miles to clinic in 110 degree heat, while you are sick, to receive medical attention. I have never experienced this kind of poverty in my life, and it makes you appreciate what a great life we have here. These funds will literally help save lives.”

The Suffield Regional Chapter of the FFA has more than 100 members and organizes several events throughout the year. Casey Ryan serves as the current president of the club.

"You belong to an outstanding, awesome, unbelievable, very involved chapter, and if you are not as involved as some others in this room, it’s never too late to get started," said advisor Ann Willard, praising the efforts of the student group.