SOAP BOX DERBY MANIA IN FORT SCOTT

Suck it up Good Old Days (GOD) Committee! The kids come first in Fort Scott. Your opposition to the Derby, and unwillingness to help accommodate this worthy event at the commission meeting last night did not go unnoticed. It is actions like yours on display last night that hinder the retention of young people here. Seth Needham is going way out of his way to bring something exciting to the GOD’s, something new and something desperately needed for our town and for our kids to enjoy. Face it, GOD’s has gone from a 3-day weekend to 1 day, and the same old faces keep showing up year after year. It has grown old and stagnant!

I see the soap box derby as a way for the city and city businesses and the Chamber to get behind a worthy endeavor. These kids will be in the parade, showing off their handiwork and it will be an event for them to look back on forever, as well as bringing 200 kids and their families to our town.

Seth’s goal is to take 20 scouts to summer camp this summer and they have been working hard on fundraisers. They need to raise around $7,000 to take these kids to camp, and the Derby is one means to advertise their efforts. I can remember my days of scouting and selling boxes of candy for my camp fundraising project. I always went, but I know I did not sell enough candy to pay my way and I thank the benefactors of FS in those days for making sure I went.

My goal is to help Seth achieve his goal by supporting him and asking the community to help him as well. Unfortunately, the GOD’s is in June and Seth needs the funds before then to secure reservations. We are setting up a collection box at the Historical Society office in Memorial Hall and Ann Rawlins is in charge of it. We are asking for help and would appreciate donations be dropped off there, and let’s all get behind Seth and his Scouts of Fort Scott.

Thank you.

Pete Allen

Amazing project for all of Fort Scott, tourism, sales in all our stores, gas, lodgings and derby cars repairs. Come on Fort Scott, support our kids and give memories. See you at OFGS.

Ann Rawlins