University of Mount Olive Collegiate FFA Continues to Warm Hearts through Giving

MOUNT OLIVE – For the ninth consecutive year the Collegiate FFA at University of Mount Olive has provided coats to needy children at Carver Elementary School.  This year’s distribution included over 165 coats, hats, and gloves. This year, as a special surprise,  Santa and his elves assisted with the distribution of the new coats and accessories.

“I had heard about what a great experience it was to be a part of the Coats for Kids effort through Collegiate FFA,” said Sarah Harkey, freshman Agriculture Education major and CFFA officer from Mt. Pleasant NC. “It was way better than I could have ever imagined.  It really makes you appreciate what a difference each and every donation makes.”

Over $4,500 in donations was collected including a $1,000 grant from the CHS Foundation, a foundation committed to investing in the future of rural America, agriculture and cooperative business through education and leadership development. “CHS is a wonderful foundation and has been faithful in funding Coats for Kids,” stated David Thomas, CFFA president and senior agribusiness major from Timberlake NC. “We look to CHS each year for their support of this very worthy cause and their continued support of rural communities is greatly appreciated.”

“This year was really special for the kids since we were able to work it out to have Santa there to help us out. It was amazing to watch the kids walk in and see Santa sitting in the lunch room. It really was a magical day,” stated Allison Kee, a junior ag education major from Concord.

University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The College, 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 www.moc.edu.