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FFA brings Christmas to Cherokee Children’s Home
Blacksburg and Cherokee Technology Center FFA student officers are shown at Monday’s Christmas party for the Cherokee Children’s Home. Pictured are (front row) reporter Keely Tindall, secretary Jami McDaniel, treasurer Josh Hardin and president Jerry Humphries. Vice president Jay Allison and sentinel Sam White are in the back row.
Christmas gifts, stockings and Santa Claus magically appeared Monday to bring the joy of the holiday season to eight members of the Cherokee Children’s Home.
Blacksburg and Cherokee Technology Center FFA student chapters had more than 100 people attend their sixth annual Christmas party for the children’s home. Formerly called Future Farmers of America, the student organization now helps students learn about the agriculture business and provides a way for students to become involved in community service.
The Sertoma Club has become a big financial supporter of the FFA’s Christmas party. Children attending the party received large stocking stuffers provided by the nursing department.
The stockings were so full that there was no room for candy. So the sweet treats were placed outside the stocking where children could take them home.
Students read the Christmas story while Santa Claus visited to watch the children open their presents.
“This is an event that gets bigger and better every year. Students who have already graduated are coming back to help out because they believe in what we are doing,” Cherokee Technology Center agriculture teacher Bob Lail said.
One Cherokee Technology Center graduate gave $200 towards this year’s party. The former student’s gesture is an example of the leadership and character that Lail said he hopes FFA members carry with them after graduating.
The Christmas party was moved to the school’s new multipurpose room because of the large number of school staff, school board members and local residents who came to share the evening with the children.
“I think it really opens the eyes of our young boys and girls about what they have at home compared to some kids,” Lail said.
