FFA seeks sponsors to help fund livestock awards at Fair

Members of the Heritage High School FFA Club pose with livestock entered at a previous Southern California Fair.

Editor's note: The following message was sent to us by Chris Maddalena, advisor for the FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America) club at Heritage High School, on behalf of all students trying to raise money to enter livestock in the upcoming Southern California Fair in Perris.

The Southern California Fair IS BACK!!! It will take place Sept. 30 through Oct. 3 at the Lake Perris Fairgrounds, and local youth have the opportunity to earn awards by entering livestock. Sponsorships are needed to help make this happen, however.

All youth that enter livestock at the fair are eligible for awards such as silver belt buckles for the top champions, custom folding chairs and bags, trophies and rosettes as well as a myriad of other items. These rewards really make the kids who win high awards feel good about themselves and their hard work. Ribbons are also awarded to nearly all others who do not ascend to the top ranks, so no one is left out.

Students must raise the money necessary for a fair livestock project, which is hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars. Many make payments or even get loans because they are so interested in being a part of the fair. They work daily, feeding, cleaning, handling, and caring for their animals for months to prepare them to be exhibited. The day comes and they show their livestock in hopes their hard work will pay off with an exceptional win.

Unfortunately, the Southern California Fair has had difficulty in reaching its fundraising goals for kids' awards this year. Even premiums, the small amount kids win for their first and second placings, has been taken away. They have now sent a letter with a due date for all exhibitors to bring $20 each to the fair office for these awards.

Many youths may be able to get this $20, but so many others are simply not able to get these additional funds the fair is now expecting.

Fair officials have explained they do not expect the children to pay for the nearly $10,000 necessary, but for them to seek sponsors. This is a great idea in theory, but in practice, not so much. Perris, Nuevo, Menifee, and surrounding areas have large populations of families that simply cannot afford an additional fees being levied on top of what they have already spent, especially in this time of Covid-19. Seeking out businesses in the area has also been a difficult venture for so many.

Because of this, the Future Farmers of America and 4H leaders throughout Riverside County are soliciting donations to this fund.

If there is an individual, a business or businesses reading this now, we are hopeful that you will consider helping to become a sponsor this year, or even better, a permanent sponsor of this fund. Kids from all throughout Riverside County are eligible for them. Please contact Chris.maddalena@puhsd.org if you would like to assist with recognizing the youth of our county and making a donation to the fund.