Quilts for Clare Bridge

Winter Haven High's FCCLA members recently made quilts for people with Alzheimer's presently living in local nursing home facilities.  In addition to working on the quilts at school, the students teamed up with local quilters at Heartfelt Quilting & Sewing on Saturday, March 7 for the "It's a Wrap Party".  Local quilters volunteered to team up with the FCCLA students as they worked to complete the final steps of their quilts for Alzheimer's patients.  FCCLA members really enjoyed visiting with the residents of Clare Bridge as they delivered the completed quilts. During the process of creating the quilts, Lowe’s heard about the project and offered to come to the nursing home with FCCLA members and beautify the outside area used by residents and their families.  On Saturday, May 2, 2009 FCCLA members will join Lowe’s Hero’s in weeding, planting and beautifying the patio area at Clare Bridge.  Anyone in the community wishing to join in their efforts should contact WHHS FCCLA at (863) 291-5330.

Alzheimer's Awareness Week

In addition to the quilts, FCCLA members recently conducted an FCCLA Alzheimer's Awareness week at Winter Haven High School.  Students in all 1st period classes were encouraged to donate funds for the "Penny for your Thought's" campaign. During lunch, students had the opportunity to purchase purple Alzheimer's Awareness bracelets and paper Forget-Me-Not flowers which could be personalized with a loved ones name.  Mr. Larry Powell, Director of the local Alzheimer's office, spoke to FCCLA members about Alzheimer's and the affects of the disease.  A school-wide survey was conducted to acquire all the names of family and friends of WHHS students, staff and faculty who have/had Alzheimer's and a "Memory Honor Scroll" was aired on Blue Devil television.  To cap off the events, students had the opportunity to purchase a hat ticket allowing them to wear a hat to school in preparation for the final event, the annual WHHS FCCLA Memory Walk which was held Thursday, March 5th, 2009 on the FCCLA track.  In total, WHHS FCCLA raised $1,521.21 for the Alzheimer’s Association.