The Cause

Proceeds from Freedom Fest benefit numerous causes. When you participate in a Freedom Fest event, you're providing support and recognition to active service members, Veterans, and their families.

USD 252 Honor Flights

Our 20 mile freedom ride provides funding for Honor Flights. In this program, students from USD 252 (South Lyon County Schools) are paired with veterans as they visit a host of memorials and landmarks in and around our nation's capital. Stops include the White House, Capitol building, numerous memorials, the Holocaust Museum and Arlington National Cemetery. The program is an unforgettable experience for both the students and Veterans.

Scholarships

We are proud to donate funds to the 137th/635th Regiment Scholarship Program. This program awards scholarship dollars to children and grandchildren of current or former service members of these two regiments. Recipients of this scholarship have demonstrated involvement in extracurricular, civic, and community activities, in addition to scholastic achievement.

Scholarship Information

Eligibility for scholarships is linked to honorable service of parents and/or grandparents in the following past and present military organizations:

1st, 2nd, or 3rd Battalions of the 137th Infantry Regiment.
1st or 2nd Battalions of the 635th Armor Regiment.
2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment.
635th Tank Destroyer Battalion (WW II).

The primary criteria upon which grants are decided include: Scholastics, aptitude and involvement in the many forms of extracurricular activities (in and out of school), participation in civic and community services, career intentions with a special emphasis on service to state and nation, and for consideration, “financial need”.

This joint scholarship fund evolved from the 635th Armor Regimental Scholarship fund under the leadership of MG (Ret) Jack Strukel Jr. The donations are held at the Topeka Community Foundation. The Foundation assists in managing the funds and providing donors with proper documentation for their tax exempt donation. Scholarships have been granted over the years to a wide range of students, to include descendants of WW II Veterans (635th Tank Destroyer Battalion), and former and current members of the 635th Armor Regiment and 137th Infantry Regiment. Recipients of these scholarship funds have reflected immense appreciation for the assistance and have honored their recognition through exceptional effort in their post high school academic endeavors.

The Scholarship Program is managed by former members of the 137th Infantry and 635th Armor Regiments along with Infantry/Armor Officer and Enlisted representation from the 2-137th CAB, Headquartered in Kansas City, KS. The committee in conjunction with the Topeka Community Foundation manages the 137th/635th Regiment Scholarship Fund.

To apply for the scholarship or donate to the fund, visit topekacommunityfoundation.org.

EANGKS Enlisted Association service member programs

We provide funding to the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of Kansas. EANGKS is dedicated to promoting the status, welfare, and professional development of the men and women serving the Kansas Army and Air National Guard.

Veterans Memorials

Proceeds also support the All Veterans Memorial at 931 S Commercial in Emporia, and the North Lyon County Veterans Memorial Park at 219 E 3rd in Bushong, Kansas. Our donations have helped to maintain and expand these beautiful parks that honor local service members. We are proud to have provided funding to help establish the Tablets of Honor display at the Emporia All Veterans Memorial.

Soldier Care Package Program

We work with Emporia Main Street to provide support for the Soldier Care Package Program. This program collects and ships items to active duty service members stationed around the globe. The care packages not only boost morale, but provide service members with things can difficult to obtain while deployed, including snacks, games, and personal care items.