During the week of November 16 through 20, Matoaca’s FBLA sponsored their annual “Feather the Turkey” event to raise money for the Virginia FBLA State Service Project, ProjectASK. For the past five years, Matoaca’s FBLA has sponsored this event to support ASK, a non-profit organization started by parents of children receiving cancer treatments at the VCU Massey Cancer Center.
Forty years later, ASK has now grown to be comprised of parents, health-professionals, and other concerned citizens. The support that Virginia’s FBLA provides ASK allows for the funding of a patient/counselor chaplain, the donation of gift cards to support the families of children with cancer, and a non-hospital-like atmosphere where children can learn, have fun and still receive treatment.
Five years ago, we lost one of our FBLA members, Justin Yancey, to a short battle with leukemia. Justin and his family were also recipients of the many benefits ASK provides. Since the passing of Justin, we have been committed to continuously support ASK in Justin’s memory. In those five years, the students and staff at Matoaca have helped raise over $10,000 for ASK.
“Feather The Turkey” has become a week long friendly competition among all first period classes to see who can raise the most money by selling feathers. Each feather cost 25 cents and students add the feathers to their teacher’s turkeys. This year’s goal of $2,800 was surpassed with a total of $3,000 raised in five days. It was another record-breaking year for Matoaca’s FBLA Annual Feather the Turkey event.
