Lexington, Pelion, and Gilbert FFA members supply Wilcox Central High School in Camden, Alabama
with a greenhouse and much needed horticulture supplies .
LOCAL FFA MEMBERS REPLACE GREENHOUSE AT ALABAMA HIGH SCHOOL
COLUMBIA, SC…FFA members from Lexington’s Technology Center, Pelion High School and Gilbert High School experienced first hand the meaning of the FFA Theme LIVING TO SERVE by providing a modern greenhouse with equipment and supplies to the Wilcox Central High School Horticulture Department in Camden, Alabama, to replace one destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, according to John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA Organization.
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A campaign was launched to raise funds for horticulture supplies and greenhouse accessories. |
Lexington FFA students dismantled the greenhouse that was donated to Wilcox Central High School. |
Tommy Harmon, Horticulture Instructor at the Lexington Technology Center, learned of the Wilcox Central Horticulture Department’s loss soon after the storm and began to take action to help restore their Horticulture facilities.
With the full support and cooperation of the school district administration, Lexington Horticulture students dismantled a 32 by 96 foot surplus greenhouse which was scheduled to be removed because of construction and prepared it for shipment to Alabama.
FFA members from Pelion and Gilbert High Schools heard about the plans and joined the Lexington members in what has appropriately become known as the HABITAT FOR HORTICULTURE Project. They launched a fund raising campaign to purchase needed equipment and supplies to accompany the greenhouse.
The Lexington students marketed some of the beautiful poinsettias they had grown as a part of their hands-on-training in Horticulture and Greenhouse Operation and contributed those funds to the cause.
The Pelion members set up a silent auction and pledged a fully guided quail hunt for two, two guided deer hunts, a catered meal for a family of four, car washing and lawn maintenance service and other items. Local business also donated items for the auction which raised more than $700 to purchase plastic and other supplies for the project
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Lexington FFA President, Jessica Hook (center) and her parents, Walter and Cindy Hook delivered the greenhouse and accessories to Alabama. |
Gilbert FFA members contributed funds from their annual fruit sale to purchase cooling cell pads.
Walter Hook, owner of Rocky Wells Trucking Company, delivered the greenhouse and accessories to Camden, Alabama on January 20 and 21, 2006.
Mr. Hook and his wife, Cindy, were accompanied by their daughter Jessica who is President of the Lexington FFA Chapter; Tommy Harmon, Horticulture Instructor and FFA advisor at Lexington Technology Center; Jacob Hathcox, another Lexington FFA officer; Frank R. Stover, Jr., Agricultural Education teacher and FFA advisor at Pelion High School; Kyle Lucas, President of the Pelion Chapter and Ricky Thompson, Vice President.
Wilcox Central High School Agri-Science Teacher and Horticulture Instructor Willie J. Gholston, says he is overwhelmed by the generosity of the Lexington, Pelion and Gilbert FFA Chapters. “We are fortunate to have these FFA members and advisors from South Carolina come to our rescue to restore our Horticulture Department,” he said.
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Senator Nikki Setzler presenting the Lexington, Pelion, and Gilbert FFA Chapters a Certificate of Recognition. |
There are more than 300 students at Wilcox Central enrolled in Agri-science courses. Ninety of these are taking Horticulture courses and a modern greenhouse is essential for proper instruction. “Our students know that the FFA members and their advisors in Lexington, Pelion and Gilbert, SC, care about them because they made the greenhouse and accessories available at this difficult time”, Gholston added. The other Agri-science teachers at Wilcox Central are Marvin Carter and Jamestican Parham. Their FFA Chapter President is Sheldon Dear.
James Thomas, Principal at Wilcox Central, said “we are most appreciative and grateful to the Lexington, Pelion and Gilbert FFA Chapters for their contribution because their action has saved this very valuable Agri-science program for our students”, he emphasized.
State legislators have taken note of the action of the Lexington, Pelion and Gilbert FFA Chapters. State Senator Nikki Setzler recently presented the president and advisor of each FFA chapter a Certificate of Recognition from the SC State Senate at a special ceremony at the State House.
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Lexington FFA members work on the greenhouse dismantling with advisor Tommy Harmon (right). |
Lexington FFA members assist in loading the truck. |
Pelion and Lexington FFA Presidents, Kyle Lucas and Jessica Hook (left) and Gilbert Vice President Ricky Thompson and Lexington FFA officer, Jacob Hathcox.. |
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Jacob Hathcox, Tommy Harmon, Jessica Hook, Walter Hook, Cindy Hook, Kyle Lucas, Ricky Thompson, and Frank Stover, |
Jacob Hathcox unloads supplies in Camden, Alabama. | Wilcox Central High School FFA welcomes the South Carolina FFA groups that delivered a greenhouse and horticulture supplies to replace those destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. |