Volunteer Work

Our chapter takes pride in its involvement on the local level. We can regularly be counted on to volunteer in our community, showing our dedication to making the world a better place. While the following is not a comprehensive list of the community activities our chapter helps with, it does give a guide to some of our volunteer work that remains consistent each year.

August: County Fair

Every August, generally around the beginning of the month, our chapter works at the local fair. This often involves overseeing the various games and inflatables. Members are responsible for regulating their particular game/inflatable to make sure that everyone follows the rules. In return, the FCCLA chapter is paid for their work and the money goes straight to the chapter funds of those who were willing to give up a couple hours of their summer to volunteer.

November: Food Pantry

Our FCCLA chapter always picks out a couple dates to work at the local food pantry. Usually members are in charge of assisting recipients with the transport of their food. This can mean carrying boxes for them as they move their way through the line or loading everything up into grocery carts to take to their car. Either way, every action makes a difference.

December: Santa Letters

Every December, children from all around northeast Nebraska write letters to Santa, which are sent to our local newspaper. Our FCCLA chapter receives these letters and takes responsibility for replying. Members pretend to be Santa and write back to the kids, responding to any questions they might have asked and reminding them to be good. These letters are sent to the families from 'Santa Claus'.

December: Red Ribbon Tree

The Red Ribbon Tree is a way for children or seniors from financially struggling families to still get Christmas presents. Families fill out a form detailing their child/seniors's age, gender, and present preference. Our chapter is responsible for handing out these forms to local businesses and collecting the information. We cut out red ribbons with the information on them and distribute them to anyone interested in helping out. We also spend chapter money to buy presents for some of the recipients ourselves.

December: AMH Christmas Party

Around Christmas our local hospital always holds a dinner for all of its staff. Our FCCLA chapter is responsible for catering this dinner from start to finish. This includes preparing salads, setting out desserts, distributing salads and dressings, serving food, refilling beverages, collecting trash, and washing silverware/dishware. In return, our members get a free meal and the satisfaction of a job well done.

February: Fireman's Banquet

Our fireman do a lot for the community, and our chapter endeavors to give something back in return. In February, we do this by catering a fireman's banquet. FCCLA provides the lettuce for the salads and makes the desserts. We also prepare the salads, serve the food, refill beverages, collect trash, and wash the dishes afterward. This is our way of saying thank you, and to thank us all volunteers get a free meal.

May: Burger Bash

Near the end of spring our local grocery store always hosts a Burger Bash which features great products for low prices. Since this event always takes place when it is hot outside, our chapter raises money by selling ice cream. While not exactly volunteer work since all money earned goes into our chapter fund, it is a regular event FCCLA participates in. The cost may be spending an afternoon out in the sun, but the reward - money that can then be used to pay for chapter registrations and red ribbon gifts - is far greater.

May: Alumni Banquet

What better way to celebrate the end of the school year than with a commemorative supper for past alumni? This banquet, of course, is catered by FCCLA. Our members prepare and distribute salads, serve food, manage dessert/drinks, collect trash, and wash dishes during this event. Since some of the alumni are well into their years, we take on the additional responsibility of carrying plates for the elderly eaters. And, naturally, the night of service ends with a free meal.

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