Boerne Champion FFA Member donates $30,500 to St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital
Wednesday, June 1, 2022 | Author: Texas FFA News
Boerne Champion FFA member Maddie Barber’s Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) project helped provide the opportunity to donate thousands of dollars to St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital back in January.
Barber’s SAE consisted of two breeding gilts and one market barrow this past year.
As her lot came to the auction floor, the Kendall County Junior Livestock Show auctioneer announced she would be donating all money raised that day to St. Jude’s. That triggered dozens of audience members to raise their hands to contribute to her cause.
“All the cards went up once they read my little note,” said Barber. “My jaw dropped; I just looked at my mom and said, ‘is this actually happening?’”
In the end, Barber walked away with $30,500, all of which would be donated.
When asked why, the high school junior simply stated, “They saved my life.”
In 2017 and 2018, the teen was treated for brain cancer at the hospital. Barber said she received endless support during her time at St. Jude, and she just wanted to give back.
“I probably wouldn't be sitting here today if it wasn't for them,” said Barber. “All of the nurses, doctors and specialists, they became like family to me.”
What is even better news, Barber has been cancer-free since 2018!
Barber said the donation wouldn’t be possible without her family, friends, community, and agriculture teachers.
Want to listen to the full interview? Check out the Texas FFA Foundation’s interview with Maddie Barber here.
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