>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

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They felt that Christmas is a wonderful time for everyone, but especially for children. They decided that new or relatively new toys could help ease a child's pain and hopefully distract them from the reality of having to spend Christmas in a hospital.

So the Eastern Oregon District Officers came up with a plan to collect toys and deliver them to Shriners Hospital for Children in Portland. This year's district officer team consists of President Megan Tanaka of Union, Vice President Hannah Del Curto of Cove, Secretary Demetria Tsiatsos of La Grande, Treasurer Shelby Davis of Imbler, Reporter Megan Yost of Joseph and Sentinel Amanda Spang of Enterprise.

On Nov. 1, after returning from the National FFA Convention, they set out to collect toys at their houses, businesses, schools and churches. FFA Chapters invited to participate in the district were Joseph, Enterprise, Elgin, Imbler,

La Grande, Cove, Union, North Powder, Baker City and Halfway.

Union was very successful in getting toys for this program and securing several businesses to sponsor toys for the hospital. The generous support of these local businesses not only helped to raise the spirits of the crippled children, but also helped make FFA members feel good about helping out.

Hank and Val Stockhoff, Union, volunteered to drive the toys to the hospital in Portland.