(above) Peter Aviary, Chris Szymczak, and Russ Jenkins unpacking the Pinewood Cars.
Retired Scouters Make Pinewood Derby Cars
The Flintlocks recently obtained a grant, purchased, cut and sanded pinewood derby cars, and donated them directly to Scout Reach and schools with special needs children. A grant was obtained from the Westfield Service League last summer. The Flintlocks purchased 240 Pinewood Derby car kits and began processing them.
This is a good example of how the Flintlocks work with the Council to provide outstanding services to the community.
“Scout Reach” is a Boy Scout program for disadvantaged families, or kids without fathers. Since the Scout Reach children do not have fathers, and Special Needs children cannot use power tools, the Flintlocks cut the cars into shapes, sand them, and repackage them. The children paint and decorate the cars, and the teachers put the wheels on. The Boy Scout Council provides the Pinewood Derby Track to the schools.
This event is the highlight of the year for the kids in these schools, and is usually done at the end of the school year or in the summer as a special event. The cars are donated to Scout Reach through the Council, and donated directly to three schools with special needs children: The West Lake School in Scotch Plains, the Crossroads School in Westfield, and the Developmental Learning center in New Providence.
The Flintlocks are a separate 501c3 but work closely with the Patriot’s Path Council, Boy Scouts of America. They are 27 retired scouters who meet at Camp Winnebago every Thursday to help maintain the camps, build new structures, volunteer with Council programs, and make craft kits in the shop. They are in the first building on the right, and guests are always welcome. For information contact Flintlocks Secretary Dr. D. Michael Hart, drmhart@yahoo.com.
(above) Jim Pipala repackages the cars for delivery.
(above) Peter cuts the shapes of the cars using a power tool.
(above) Dr. D. Michael Hart delivering the cars
