Absarokee FFA donates $320 for vets

ABSAROKEE — The Absarokee High School Chapter of Future Farmers of America demonstrated its commitment to helping Veterans and their families when it helped raise more than $320 during an Honoring Our Veterans Concert last month.
The concert was sponsored by the Absarokee High School Music Department, directed by music teacher Becky Frank. The concert celebrated Veterans Day and AHS students performed an array of patriotic songs.
“Our Future Farmers of America students — 37 strong in grade 7 through 12 — look for ways to help out in the community and this was one more way we could do so in a meaningful way,” said Tim Zumbrun, AHS Vo Ag Instructor and FFA faculty advisor.
The Absarokee FFA also helps hang Christmas lights, pitches in to help at the Absarokee Senior Center, operates two greenhouses and provides flowers for the downtown business district. Working with United Blood Services the FFA helps with blood drives in Absarokee. Zumbrun, who is State Command Chief Master Sergeant for the Montana Air National Guard, said he was glad the FFA could help veterans by “Passing the Helmet” at the concert.
“With an aging veteran population added to the returning Veterans from 10 years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Veterans who will need our support will only increase. We need to be prepared to offer the best assistance we can to help them to show appreciation from a grateful nation,” said VOA marketing manager Dan Burkhart. “We’re delighted that Absarokee, like schools from Billings to Hardin, from Huntley Project to Sommers-Lakeside, clear up by Flathead Lake, pitched in to help.
All funds from this effort will go Volunteers of America (VOA) Veteran programs and services in Montana, according to VOA Division Development Director Dan Burkhart. VOA is the largest nonprofit Veteran service provider in Montana, with offices in Billings, Butte, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell and Missoula.