Published: January 14, 2009 08:30 am      

Danville FFA receives surprise donation

DANVILLE — Earlier this week, the Danville Community School Board of School Trustees approved a $5,000 donation to the high school’s FFA.

The donation was made by Jim Williams of North Salem. Williams was allowed to donate $5,000 to any FFA chapter of his choice because of the purchase of a special tractor from the New Holland Rochester dealer.

“It’s great to have local people in Hendricks County that support the FFA,” said Duane Huge, Danville FFA director. “We are fortunate enough to have people in the Hendricks County agricultural community supporting us.”

The opportunity for the donation began in October, when the New Holland Agriculture farm machinery company donated a tractor to be auctioned off at the National FFA Alumni Live Benefit Auction held in conjunction with the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis on Oct. 24.

The FFA special edition New Holland 105-PTO hp T6050 Elite tractor was donated to commemorate New Holland’s 60-year sponsorship of the National FFA Organization. The New Holland in Rochester purchased the tractor. Jim Straeter, New Holland Rochester dealer, said that he thought this special part of Americana agriculture needed to stay in Indiana. As an incentive for a customer to purchase the tractor from the dealership, New Holland offered the buyer the opportunity to designate an FFA Chapter of their choice to receive a $5,000 donation from his New Holland dealership. Williams, a former FFA member, purchased the tractor.

Having granddaughters, Sarah and Alex Lawson, who are members of the Danville chapter, Williams said he had no problem choosing a chapter to donate to. On Dec. 18, he and representatives from New Holland donated the money to the program in a ceremony that included having the tractor on hand.

“It was kind of like an early Christmas present,” Huge said. “We didn’t expect it. We didn’t know until Mr. Williams’ granddaughters told us about the donation. We are very, very excited about the things that the donation makes possible.

“We will probably use it for two scholarships for seniors. Some may also be used for scholarships for students to go to the Washington Leadership Conference this summer in Washington, D.C. We may also use it to buy technology, maybe a couple of laptops.”



ryan.palencer@flyergroup.com