The closure of our schools and the cancellation of major events because of the Coronavirus has provided major disappointment and heartbreak for many of our students in Dickinson ISD, Galveston County and across the state and nation. On Wednesday, March 11th, the FFA trailers were loaded with animals and sitting in a long line outside Reliant Stadium. As our students and teachers waited in line for check-in, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo was cancelled. They quickly returned back to Dickinson very disappointed but with their hopes set high on participation in the Galveston County Fair. Last week, the Galveston County Fair was canceled, and now our students have no opportunities to exhibit and compete with their animal projects. Right now, our FFA program has a critical need, and we hope you, your business, company or people you know, might be able to help our students. At the Houston Livestock Show and Galveston County Fair, auctions are provided to give students an opportunity to sell their projects. Our students depend on the proceeds from the auctions to purchase their animal projects for the next year or they put the funds in a savings account to prepare for college. The Galveston County Fair and Rodeo is now taking donations to help students. This can be done online as a commitment to purchase an animal outright, as an ad-on donation designated for a specific exhibitor, as a donation designated to the commitment fund or as a donation designated to the scholarship fund. They have also provided the commitment price for each type of animal. All of the information about being a commitment buyer for the Galveston County Fair and Rodeo is available at Galvestoncountyfair.com. Raising an animal is expensive. Students and parents must purchase feed, grooming supplies and veterinary care. Raising an animal takes tremendous commitment and hard work. Students are at this barn or in their own barn at home twice a day, seven days a week for many months making sure their projects are well fed and that stalls and pins are clean. They also regularly exercise their animals and practice showmanship. Raising an animal teaches our students skills that they will use well beyond high school, like self-discipline, responsibility, and problem-solving. Take a moment to think about this unique problem and think about the impact of this problem on our students. Then, make a decision to join me and become a Dickinson FFA Hero. We believe that each of our Gators are champions and we are Gator proud of their efforts. Help us reward them for the hard work and commitment they have put forth this year. Gators take care of Gators, so any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.