District VII Report - 2010/05
Each month I've mentioned in this column how clubs can get involved and share our hobby with the local community, and the benefits a club can receive. Windom, Minnesota, located in the southwest corner of the state, is the home of the Windom Eagles Model Airplane Club that accepted my challenge. Bob Varilek, former club president, sent in this report.
Windom Eagles Model Airplane Club (Windom, MN)
Bob related that he was inspired by one of the District VII columns. He presented an idea to the 25‑member club about getting involved with local youngsters. Bob ordered some Delta Darts and contacted the local Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts to invite them to the club's field; roughly 60 people showed up.
Was the event successful? Yes. As a result of the club’s community involvement, the club now holds its meetings in a hangar at the Windom Municipal Airport and has its flying site on the east end of the field because of the support of Bruce Caldwell and the City of Windom.
Support and promotion from the community include:
- Schwalbach Hardware — promotes the hobby and club by hanging models from the ceiling.
- The local Lions Club — donates food for the annual fly‑in.
- Bruce Caldwell and the City of Windom — support the club’s meeting and flying site arrangements.
Great job!
R/C Flyers — Take Off And Grow (TAG) program
This story was also sent in by Rusty Billings from the R/C Flyers club in Lakewood, Wisconsin. The photos show the club's involvement in the community with the Take Off And Grow (TAG) program. This type of involvement reaches literally thousands of people in a very short period of time and brings resounding recognition for the club. I'll let the photos tell the story.
I'm sure there are many other clubs in District VII that have similar stories to tell, so why not send them in so others may get the message?
Till next time, fly safely, have fun, and get involved.
C.A.V.U., Dale F. Jeld
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
