HELPING THE
COMMUNITY
Athens comes together to donate dairy products
Members of the Athens FFA and FFA Alumni handed out a total of 400 pounds of donated butter, 380 gallons of milk and 300 pounds of cheese to Athens families on five consecutive Wednesdays at the front entrance of Athens High School and at the Athens Café and On the Square restaurants.
They began giving the donated dairy products from individuals and businesses in the Athens community to families driving up in their vehicles on May 13 and the project ended today (June 10).
Jessica Stuttgen, Athens middle and high school FFA advisor, said it was wonderful to see Athens community members and businesses work together to help out both local families and dairy farmers struggling with a loss of income during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During these difficult times we need to work together and help each other out,” Stuttgen said. “We are helping out both our community members and local dairy farmers. Athens is a tight-knit community and I’m glad we could come together to complete this amazing project.”
Vicki Halopka, current Athens FFA Alumni president and former Athens Fair treasurer, was more than happy to help donate and distribute dairy products to her fellow community members. “I grew up in Athens and I know the people and businesses here always help each other out during difficult times,” Halopka said. “Athens is just a close-knit community that supports its local farmers. I will always be proud to be an Athens Bluejay.”
Dawn Mroczenski of Athens works as a loan officer at AgCountry Credit Services in Medford. She was also eager to help out her Athens community.
“I picked this project for my Ag-Country donation because it helped the local community where I live in two ways, by providing nutritious dairy products for our local families and moving dairy products to support dairy farmers.”
The Athens FFA and the FFA Alumni, AgCountry Farm Credit Services, Athens IGA and Nasonville Dairy all purchased and donated butter, milk and cheese to Athens-area families.
