The Warsaw Municipal Airport’s SOAR 2024! was on Thursday, Aug. 1. It allowed Cardinal Services clients and others from the community to see planes and other vehicles up close. Warsaw Mayor Jeff Grose brought his “Kid Mayor” for the day Dylan Young to the event, who’s in the front of the photo. In the back from left are Warsaw Board of Aviation Commissioners’ member Dan Robinson, Warsaw Municipal Airport Line Technician Ray Scott, Cardinal Workforce Development Director Tony Peterson, Warsaw Municipal Airport Manager Nick King, Cardinal Executive Director Vickie Lootens and Grose.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Planes, fundraising for Cardinal Services and fun were part of SOAR 2024! at the Warsaw Municipal Airport.

Cardinal clients and others from the community got up close to planes and vehicles from the Warsaw Police Department, Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office, Warsaw-Wayne Fire Territory and more on Thursday, Aug. 1.

It was the third year for SOAR at the airport.

Cardinal Executive Director Vickie Lootens noted it was Cardinal Human Resources Manager Betsy Scott and her husband, Warsaw Municipal Airport Line Tech Supervisor Ray Scott, who came up with the event, which was open in the first year to Cardinal clients and employees only.

“We got such a positive response from Cardinal Services and its clients and then all of the employees who said ‘Why in the world are we not inviting everybody else out to have some fun too?'” said Airport Manager Nick King.

“We’re hoping to grow it even more next year,” he added.

Ledgeview Brewing Co. had food for sale at the event, with part of the proceeds going toward Cardinal. Sales from T-shirts and slushies also went to the nonprofit. People also could pay $20 to ride in an airplane flown by Lake City Aviators.

King noted “almost $7,000” came in for Cardinal from donations ahead of time compared to the $1,500 total raised last year.

Lootens said money raised “will help sustain our programs and our services that we offer to our community.”

Along with Cardinal clients, those with the nonprofit’s sister organization Easterseals Passages of Columbia City also came to SOAR 2024!

“It’s a great opportunity for them to learn about all the different vehicles and equipment that we have in our community,” said Lootens.

She thanked the airport, Warsaw Mayor Jeff Grose and the WPD, WWFT, KCSO and more who came or helped with the event.

Grose noted he brought his “Kid Mayor” for the day” Dylan Young to the event. The Leesburg Elementary School second grader is the daughter of his assistant Staci Young.

“It’s been great to bring her here,” said Grose.

He talked about “neighbors serving neighbors” in the city earlier this year and said the event was an example of that.

“(With) all the different departments showing up, it’s just a great way to support Cardinal Services,” said Grose.