By Betsy Finklea
The Dillon County Council approved a request from the Celebrate Freedom Foundation® Project SOaR™  (School/Student Opportunities and Rewards) program for the two M-37 vehicles at the county impound.
Jack Lovelady, President and COO of the organization, said that the vehicles will be utilized in their foundation education program. It was explained that the vehicle utilization program give hands on experience with working with combustible engines and the like.
Vernie Nance, who is also with the program, said there was no expense to the county to move the vehicles. He said they will take them apart and rebuild them. The main goal is to use the vehicles in parades after they have been repaired for the students. Possible people who may use them include the Tuskegee Airmen and the Doolittle Raiders.
Councilman Buzzy Finklea made a motion to give the two vehicles to the organization. This was seconded by Councilman Joe Johnson and then approved by council.
“The mission of Celebrate Freedom Foundation’s Project SOaR™  is to provide innovative, educational outreach programs in unconventional settings that focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). It also includes positive personal goal setting personal responsibility and teamwork skills.
Project SOaR™ stimulates career choices and the development of critical skills that our youth and nation require in order to maintain the U.S. technological advantage which is essential to assuring the health of our nation’s industry and ultimately America’s freedom.”
To learn more about the foundation, please visit www.CelebrateFreedomFoundation.org.