Once again K&S Millwrights was happy to support Buffalo Lake – Hector – Stewart FFA’s Corn Drive with a donation. Buffalo Lake – Hector – Stewart FFA (Future Farmers of America) organizes a Corn Drive yearly. The proceeds benefit Camp Courage, a summer camp for children and adults with disabilities.

The local community has participated in this drive since 1955 and donated over $127,000 dollars throughout that time! It is a cause K&S is proud to support. Until this year the largest year of donations was in 2014 when $8,000 was collected. This year’s drive has already exceeded that number and continues gathering donations until October 15th.

Why is it called a Corn Drive?

The name “Corn Drive” has been used for years. Traditionally donations came from farmers in the form of grain/crop pledges. Over the years donations have transitioned to cash which now makes up 90% of the contributions. Because of this transition, local businesses are also included in this worthwhile effort. Since corn/grain donations are still offered, BLHS FFA works with South Central Grain and Energy to keep track of grain donations.

FFA & Community

Many FFA Chapters gather donations to support community and philanthropy. BLHS FFA is a small chapter with 30 members across our three communities. Even though they are smaller than many chapters they continuously remain in the top 10 MN chapters for contributions. In 2014 they were fifth in the state and in 2015 they came in sixth in the state for contributions. BLHS FFA will find out where they stand against other MN FFA chapter for contributions at the MN State FFA Convention in April 2017.

K&S Millwrights enjoys supporting the FFA chapter, the students in the organization and Camp Courage, the recipient of the donations. Camp Courage allows children and adolescents living with blood disorders or cancer the opportunity to experience camp and outdoor activities at NO COST. It provides them the opportunity to play with and learn from other peers with similar healthcare issues, providing a setting that gives everyone the opportunity to gain coping skills and understanding in relation to their diagnosis, while building up self-esteem and support. Camp courage is staffed by trained medical and support staff.

Consider giving your own donation to the cause, there is still time. Contact Mrs. Jill Grams in the Ag Department at the BLHS high school, the advisor in charge of the FFA organization. She can be reached at [email protected] or by calling 320-848-2233.