Why FCCLA is Important to Me
Why is FCCLA important to me? Well, it has made me who I am today. When I first started high school I was just that average “Jo” girl. I never knew where I would fit in or how high I could or should set my limits. But then I was brought into FCCLA. It was the best experience I have ever had and a place where I fit in. Since my freshmen year I have opened up and taken on more leadership roles than I could ever have ever imagined. Stepping up and taking on more responsibilities has helped me to define what I truly value. Also, I have learned how to set and achieve personal goals in my life.
FCCLA is all about helping people in need and reaching out to our local community members. Seeing the peoples’ faces light up when handing over what we collected for them is the best, most rewarding part about these experiences. One project I recently helped with was a canned food drive that the Alma FCCLA chapter sponsored. This past summer we had five community members who were involved in a plane crash over Lake Michigan. The Red Cross provided help with food from local pantries and lodging to the families of the victims and the search and rescue crews. We collected cans for the Alma and Ludington area Red Cross chapters to restock local food pantries. To complete our project we reached out to our community for help. FCCLA members and adult volunteers positioned themselves at our local Wendy’s and Wal-Mart to accept donations. I helped the group at Wal-Mart. It was just so rewarding to see people come out with a purchase - cans especially for our food drive. Some people choose to donate money to the cause instead.
FCCLA has changed my life tremendously. It has helped me to define my values in life. Finally, the skills I have learned will be valuable throughout my lifetime.