Future Agricultural Science Teachers helping FFA chapters impacted by Hurricane Helene

After the tragedy of Hurricane Helene, the Auburn University FAST (Future Agricultural Science Teachers) organization saw a need among communities across the Southeast.

Although it has been almost two months since the storm and it is no longer being seen in the news, families are still rebuilding what is left of their livelihoods, and communities are seeking hope to find normalcy. Agriculture teachers, agricultural programs in high schools and FFA chapters are deeply intertwined with their communities and their needs, so our student organization, FAST, decided to support these programs.

There has been a tremendous help from across the nation in sending food, clothing and other supplies. Sometimes what is most helpful is the ability to remove the strain of transporting goods to those that need them and support communities through financial relief necessary after a natural disaster. That is why FAST has opted to raise funds to financially support FFA chapters across the Southeast impacted by Hurricane Helene. FFA chapters will be able to use the funds to support their needs they see fit to regain this normalcy for their students and community (such as purchasing FFA Official Dress for members, taking students to competitions or events that they have missed out on since the tragedy and much more). Although these things may seem small, they can be one less worry as students work on more difficult things, such as grieving those they have lost.

FAST has already raised over $1,000 in support at the National FFA Convention. With every donation of any dollar amount, supporters will receive a button designed and created by FAST members that can be worn proudly to spread awareness. The button alludes to the FFA Creed, stating, “in the promise of better days through better ways,” a message that declares that the hope these communities have is not in the past where they have lost so much, but in the future promise of better days yet to come.

Our goal is to give away 1,000 buttons and raise $5,000 by Dec. Please join us as we fill the needs of those who are still suffering, although we may not see it with our own eyes.

If you would like to support our efforts, you can reach out to our Graduate Advisor, Jessica Westmoreland, at westmoreland@auburn.edu. We accept both cash and checks made out to Future Agricultural Science Teachers, or FAST. We are in cooperation with the National FFA Organization Staff to get the funds dispersed to programs that need our joint help.