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 In a quiet corner of the bustling 97th California FFA State Leadership Conference, students traded speeches and competitions for scissors, fleece, and a simple act of kindness—making no-sew blankets for children in need.
The project, a new addition to the conference lineup, gave members the opportunity to hand-tie fleece blankets as part of a service activity in partnership with Project Linus of Fresno, Madera, and Tulare counties. These blankets will be donated to children attending a grief camp this summer—a gesture of warmth, both literally and emotionally.
Shay Williams-Hopper, San Joaquin Regional Advisor, was the driving force behind the event. She said the idea came from feedback after last year’s conference. “Some students said they wanted something quieter, more service-focused,” she explained. “So we got creative, applied for a grant from National FFA, and got to work.”
The $8,000 grant stretched further than expected, covering materials for 1,000 blankets, and this year's participants surpassed expectations by crafting over 500 blankets during the Friday Night Flame Fest. Williams-Hopper noted that any leftover materials will be saved for next year. “It’s been exciting. Students are coming in and out, working in teams, and really putting their hearts into it,” she said.
One of those students was Alexavier Carrillo from the Menifee-Heritage FFA Chapter. “We were just looking for something meaningful to do,” he said. “When we saw this project, it felt like the right way to give back. And honestly, we’re having a lot of fun doing it.”
Carrillo hopes the activity becomes a tradition. “I think community service should be part of every FFA conference in some way. It helps the members, and it helps the community.”
From dinosaurs to pandas to highland cows, the blanket patterns were a hit—with dinosaurs taking the top spot as the fan favorite. But more than the designs, it was the purpose behind the project that left a lasting impression, and organizers hope to bring the project back next year and continue building opportunities for students to serve others during the annual event.
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