1940s-style event in Burnet to help fund Freedom Flyers’ summer programs for kids
JARED FIELDS • PICAYUNE STAFF
BURNET — A swingin’ evening complete with 1940s fashion and music will launch the Freedom Flyers’ summer youth programs to new heights.
Tickets remain for the Freedom Flyers Gala on May 18 at the nonprofit organization’s hangar at the Burnet Municipal Airport, 3202 U.S. 281.
The proceeds go toward the Freedom Flyers’ summer programs.
“Where we’re going with the whole program is much larger and faster than most of us anticipated. The response is overwhelming,” said Cowden Ward, the organization’s founder.
The organization aims to bring aviation to youth and the community through a series of activities and programs that emphasize lessons in science, technology, engineering and math.
Freedom Flyers partnered last summer with the Boys & Girls Club of the Highland Lakes for the first time to offer an introductory program to aviation.
Interest in the program grew as kids learned the basics of flight, built model airplanes, launched rockets and flew kites.
This summer, executive director David Smiles has more plans in store.
Programs start in June for youth age 7 to high school and range from free to paid and daily to once-a-week.
“The program is something we’re trying to make well-rounded for the summer to reach out to the community and bring something special to them,” Smiles said.
The programs vary, from providing an introduction for girls to the world of aviation to building drone aircraft to even providing students with the opportunity to experience their first flight.
“It’s an unusual opportunity for the kids to learn science and math,” project coordinator Mitzi Logan said. “They don’t realize they’re doing math, but once they get it, they realize they did math and they’re happy about it.”
Logan said tickets, which are $50 each, remain for the gala. Volunteers and potential board members with a nonprofit and aviation background also are welcome.
To purchase tickets, learn more about the summer program or Freedom Flyers, visit www.freedom
flyers.org or call (512) 756-6163.
jared@thepicayune.com
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Freedom Flyers Gala
WHEN: May 18; doors open at 6:30 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m.
WHERE: Hangar at Burnet Municipal Airport, 3202 U.S. 281 in Burnet
TICKETS: $50 each with proceeds going toward Freedom Flyers’ summer programs
FOR MORE: Visit www.freedomflyers.org or call (512) 756-6163