The Flintlocks obtained a grant and then purchased, cut and sanded Pinewood Derby cars, and donated them directly to schools with special-needs children. This is a good example of how the Flintlocks work with the council to provide outstanding services to the community.

A $500 grant was obtained from the Westfield Service League last summer. The Flintlocks purchased 240 Pinewood Derby car kits and are processing them.  ScoutReach children and special-needs children cannot use power tools, so 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 council provides the Pinewood Derby track. This event is the highlight of the year for the children in these schools, and is usually done at the end of the school year as a special event. The cars are donated to ScoutReach through the council, and cars also are donated directly to three schools with specials-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 secretary Dr. D. Michael Hart at [email protected].

Peter Aviary, Chris Szymczak and Russ Jenkins unpacking the Pinewood Derby cars.

Peter Aviary cutting the shapes.

Dr. D. Michael Hart sanding the cars.

Jim Pipala repacking them.