Town of White Springs HOPE program

Fire Service News had the opportunity to attend the Town of White Springs H.O.P.E. Summer Youth Enrichment Program today at the Stephen Foster State Park. Participating in the days events was units from the Florida Army National Guard and the White Springs Police Dept.

The HOPE program is a summer program designed for children between the ages of 5 & 12. Some of the summer activities include sporting events, reading programs, mentoring, arts & crafts and music appreciation. The goal is to keep children actively engaged in productive activities during the summer months during summer break from school. While this is just the first year of the program, 78 children have signed up and participated. The program started June 14th and runs until August 6th.

The morning activities started off with a whirlwind when a HH-60M Blackhawk from C Company 1-111th Aviation Florida Army National Guard performed a flyby and then landed behind the park museum building. The children and adults from the HOPE program were offered a chance to climb into the Blackhawk and see how the medevac helicopters are used to save the lives of our troops on the battlefield.

The Florida Army National Guard also brought out a HMMWV from the 868th Engineering Company in Live Oak. The HMMWV was a big hit with the children.

The White Springs Police Department has 2 police cruisers participating during the event. In addition to supporting the program they also provided traffic control during the helicopter landing and take off events.

No safety day event would be complete without taking a few minutes to discuss fire safety, which the program director was gracious enough to allow Fire Service News to do with the children. Fire Service News wants to thank the Hope Program, the White Springs Police Department, and the Florida Army National Guard for the opportunity to participate in today’s events.

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