|
|
| |
Strength in Unity: Texas FFA Supports Flood-Affected Communities
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 | Author: Texas FFA News
When a Texas community hurts, Texas FFA Association members, advisors and supporters step up.
“Over the past couple of months, we’ve struggled to understand why tragedies like what we witnessed in the Hill Country happen,” said Jennifer Jackson, Texas FFA Executive Director. “We have prayed over those affected and mourned the loss of precious, innocent lives.”
Yet in the midst of heartbreak, our country also witnessed the very best of what makes Texas so special, communities coming together, neighbors helping neighbors, and people showing up with compassion and strength.
“In these moments, we are reminded that while we may have seen the worst of nature, we are also seeing the very best of humanity,” said Jackson.
Immediately following the tragic event, the Texas FFA Association was able to work with Hill Country residents, including those with Seitz Fundraising, to assess areas of need. In response, several statewide donation efforts were coordinated.
“To begin, we designed and sold a Texas FFA Flood Relief t-shirt to raise relief funds,” said Jackson. “We promoted the campaign via social media and saw widespread attention.”
The Texas FFA Association is on track to contribute over $50,000 toward flood relief efforts.
In addition, when there was a clear need for school supplies, the Texas FFA Association launched a supply drive with support from the 2025-2026 State Officers and many area officers across the state. To expand the effort, the association also created an Amazon wish list, which allowed at a distance supporters to contribute.
“Hard times create support, support creates community, and community creates a family,” said Texas FFA State Officer Ciera Hays. “Texas FFA is a true family, and even through this deviation it has been rewarding to be a part of the best family in the world.”
Thanks to this combined effort, more than 700 items were collected, ensuring students had the tools they needed to continue learning. The efforts focused on providing immediate support, including school supplies for most students in affected districts from Pre-K to 6th grade.
The impact of these efforts was magnified thanks to the overwhelming support from more than 40 local FFA chapters across Texas, as well as a few other state associations who stepped in to lend a hand. Their supply drives, gift card collections, and fundraising efforts extended far beyond their own communities, proving that the FFA family stretches across miles and state lines. This outpouring of support reflects the very heart of agricultural education and FFA.
“The compassion not only met immediate needs but also reminded our students and families what true service, unity, and community look like,” said Ingram FFA Advisor Jessica Reeves. “The action reminded us that the FFA jacket stretches far beyond chapter, county, or state lines, it is a family bound by service and love.”
Many communities impacted by the floods were still recovering, with families displaced and schools assessing damages. Funds from T-shirt sales have not yet been fully expensed, as it has been requested to wait to determine the areas of greatest need from local coordinated contacts.
“We were overwhelmed by the generosity of our community, so much so that at times we had to ask donors to temporarily hold contributions due to storage limitations,” said Jackson. “Knowing that so many people are committed to supporting neighbors in need is inspiring, and we remain committed to continuing these efforts as recovery progresses.”
A sincere thank you to each individual, chapter, group and business who contributed to these efforts. As recovery continues, Texas FFA remains committed to walking alongside communities in need, proving that service, compassion, and unity will always rise higher than the floodwaters.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|