UMO Collegiate FFA Doubles Efforts to Keep Kids Warm
in Memory of George Kornegay
MOUNT OLIVE – For the past eight years the Collegiate FFA at the University of Mount Olive has provided coats to needy children at Carver Elementary School. This year the Collegiate FFA has extended their outreach efforts to also include Brogden Primary School. The expected number of students impacted at the two schools will exceed 275, each student will receive a coat, hat, and pair of gloves. As a special surprise, Santa and his elves will assist with the distribution of the new coats and accessories.
University of Mount Olive Collegiate FFA members are dedicating this year’s Coats for Kids project in memory of Mr. George R. Kornegay, Jr., who passed away on November 21, 2014. Kornegay was well known for his service to the community. He dedicated much time, energy, and resources to the University of Mount Olive, to the Collegiate FFA, and to the agriculture programs at the University.
“It is only fitting that this year’s Coats for Kids effort be dedicated in memory of Mr. George Kornegay,” said Dr. Sandy Maddox, director of the Lois G. Britt Agribusiness Center at UMO.
“Last year I experienced the Coats for Kids project as a freshman and I have looked forward to continuing the tradition again this year” said Sarah Harkey, sophomore agriculture education major and CFFA president from Mt. Pleasant, NC. “This has been one of the best experiences I have ever been a part of, and it makes everyone involved understand the meaning of giving.”
Over $4,500 in donations have been collected from individuals and businesses in the community.
“With the added number of children in need, we have reached out to the campus and business community and their generosity has allowed us to almost reach our goal of $5,500 to be able to purchase all the needed coats,” stated Allison Kee, senior agriculture education major from Concord, NC. “After working with this project for the past three years, it has been rewarding to be able to expand our program to try to meet the needs of children at two schools this year and we are almost there.”
It is always amazing to see the kids’ reaction to Santa and their excitement over their new coats! This project really makes you appreciate what we take for granted and gives us a chance to see the impact we are making on the children’s lives,” stated Josh Wisniewski, a senior agribusiness major from Elizabeth City, NC.
University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Goldsboro, Research Triangle Park, Washington and Jacksonville. For more information, visit old.umo.edu.
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