Two Arkansas school districts have taken their long-lasting rivalry to new heights to help their communities. Chapters representing the Alma Airedales and Van Buren Pointers held a pet supply drive for local animal shelters.
“The supply drive went even better than expected,” says Kisia Holland, one of the agriculture teachers at Alma High School. “Between both Alma FFA and Van Buren FFA, we collected more than 1,700 items to be donated.”
The idea stemmed from Alma FFA Chapter Vice President Brittany Bowlin. She came up with the idea, then created flyers and drop-off points in the community to make the donation process easier. She and many other students from both schools helped make this possible.
“Alma and Van Buren have a big football rivalry,” Holland says. “We wanted to harness that energy into something positive!”
The drive lasted seven days, then its results were announced during the Battle of the Bone rivalry football game. All the supplies were donated to Pawzitively Canine in Mulberry and Almost Home Shelter in Van Buren.
The two schools hope to add this to their Battle of the Bones traditions for years to come!