T-R PHOTO BY ROBERT MAHARRY From left to right, MHS FFA members Sean Readout, Luke Stalzer, Ellie Lanfier, Gavin Freiberg, Quinn Eastman and Harlie Thatcher pose for a photo before delivering gifts to a total of seven MCSD elementary students on Wednesday afternoon.

The FFA club at Marshalltown High School has experienced rapid growth and success since it formed just a few years ago, and its members are now taking time to give back to other students in the district through an annual toy drive and gift giving campaign.

On Wednesday afternoon, they delivered presents to a total of seven students across all six of the MCSD’s elementary buildings, which not only spread Christmas cheer to those individuals but made Club President Quinn Eastman and Advisor Tara Gray proud of all they’ve been able to accomplish through their FFA chapter.

“Essentially, we reach out to each of the counselors from the elementary schools, and they give us a list of items that a kid from each of the schools would like. And then all of our members are assigned a few gifts to buy, and we just collect them all and deliver them to the elementary schools,” Eastman said.

Another club member, Gavin Freiberg, said it feels good to know that not only are FFA members learning more about agriculture and leadership through their participation in the organization but also making a difference in the lives of fellow Bobcats. Like the chapter itself, Gray said the annual drive has grown exponentially in each of its three years of existence, and they’ve surpassed a $2,000 fundraising goal for the six students they assist.

Because they did so well, they were able to provide gifts for a seventh kid who had lost a parent this year.

“I think this is a great opportunity for our kids to give back to our community and just to see that growth in our community, not just in our chapter as well,” Gray said.

Although FFA started as an abbreviation for the Future Farmers of America, the club has branched out since then and now encompasses a wide range of leadership building activities.

“I love the leadership part of it and just being able to have many opportunities to go out and explore through other schools as well, because we get to meet a lot of new people and just hearing their story and how they came to agriculture is nice,” club reporter Harlie Thatcher said.

Eastman said the most common gift requests from the kids this year were Disney princesses and arts and crafts materials. The MHS FFA chapter has grown from 11 members at its inception to a current total of 35.