FFA Organizes Movie Night For Hurricane Relief
Four FFA students at McDonald County High School have organized a movie night with proceeds going to relief for victims of Hurricane Harvey.
“One of the other ag teachers had the idea to send money to one of the FFA chapters down there,” Junior Callie Keaton said.
Senior Allie Grider added, “We wanted to do something to help that chapter, and we started brainstorming that movie night would be easy and everybody likes to watch movies.”
Junior Joslyn Banta said they will send the proceeds to the main Texas FFA, which will distribute
the money as needed.
The students weighed in on their observations on the disaster.
“It’s crazy how much water there is,” Keaton said. “It’s crazy how they have to get their animals out. They have to swim their cows and horses out. It just amazes me how much rain and water there is.”
Banta said, “I think it’s kind of amazing how something like that happens. Like, the devastation. I think it’s awesome that we as Americans try to take it upon ourselves to help.”
Grider said, “I thought it was devastating at first, because you see all these ranchers losing all their livestock, but then you see all these other counties and states coming in to help … it kind of amazes me.”
Junior Baylee Payne said, “This is a natural phenomenon that isn’t caused by any one person. It’s cool to see people put aside their differences and come together to help everyone down in Texas.”
“FFA hosts movie night every year anyway,” Payne noted, “so we already had the resources.” Only, instead of a free movie night, they will take donations toward hurricane relief, she added.
The movie “The Goonies” will be shown at 8 p.m. Sept. 9 at the high school baseball fields. Admission is $3 per person or a case of water for two people. Concessions will be available.
Banta said, “We saw how much water was down in Texas. A case of water is like, $42, and for us a case of water is like $5.”
Keaton said, “They’re running out of water. Clean water is very much needed.”
Payne added, “Mrs. Hutton told us Texas FFA chapters helped out during the Joplin tornado, so it’s kind of our obligation to help them when needed.”
Agriculture teacher and advisor Emily Hutton said of the students, “They took the initiative and really jumped in and got a plan and really got it rolling. I’m very proud.”