During her first year as an FFA member, Abigail Casillas took full advantage of all the organization offers. She participated in competitive events, attended conferences and took on chapter leadership roles, but something was missing.
“I was wearing a borrowed FFA jacket that did not have my name on it,” says Casillas, a second-year member of New Horizons FFA in Pasco, Wash. “It didn’t feel like I was truly a part of my chapter or stood out as an individual.”
Thanks to the support of National FFA donors, that changed this summer when she received an FFA jacket through the Give the Gift of Blue program.
Zipping up a jacket with her name and officer position stitched on the front immediately made Casillas excited and more confident.
“Receiving my own jacket makes me feel welcome in my FFA chapter,” she says. “It has made me more interested in being involved with FFA and agriculture.”
Her jacket not only connects her to other chapter members, but it also unites her with millions of FFA Alumni who have proudly been a part of the tradition over the past 90 years.
Since 1933, the iconic blue jacket has left a big impact on members and is a prized possession, still hanging in the closets of many FFA Alumni across the country.
However, the majority of FFA members today do not own a jacket and have never felt the pride and sense of belonging that comes from seeing their name on the front. The Give the Gift of Blue program aims to change that by allowing National FFA Foundation donors to gift jackets to members who otherwise could not afford one.
A donor’s role in helping blue jacket dreams come true is not lost on FFA members like Casillas.
“I am grateful to the National FFA donors and supporters who are helping members like me get the most out of our FFA membership.”
If you want to celebrate the jacket’s 90th anniversary and provide deserving FFA members with their piece of FFA history, visit FFA.org/GiveBlue.
