National Heritage Freedom Essay Contest
The National Heritage program of Sertoma promotes Freedom, Democracy, and Patriotism in our local communities. The three main areas of the National Heritage activities include distribution of historical documents in the community (Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, US Constitution), essay contests for secondary students, and flag displays throughout the community.

The Sertoma Clubs of the Pikes Peak District collectively participate in the National Heritage Freedom Essay Contest for 8th grade students in our area schools. Local Sertoma Clubs sponsor a school(s), meet with principals and 8th grade language arts teachers, and encourage 8th grade students to write a 400 word essay on "What Freedom Means to Me." In our schools, freedom documents are handed out to students and many student essays are collected from each school and judged by club members to select a winner. Many schools also award 2nd and 3rd place prizes. Clubs may choose to award bonds, cash, plaques, etc. for the winning essays and invite the winners to read their essays at a club meeting. Each club sends the 1st place essay to the district to be judged again at the district level.

During the United States Freedom Week, which is in February of each year, a District dinner  is organized where the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winning essays at the district level are selected and recognized. Clubs who have sponsored schools invite members, students, parents and teachers of the club first place winners to this special dinner where the Sertoma, Inc. President recognizes the 8th grade students for their exemplary work and thoughts about freedom. Proclamations for Freedom Week from the state governor and city may be read. The top three essays are read by the students and they receive a savings bond, plaque and a US flag that has flown over the capitol in Washington D.C.

In conjunction with the banquet, the Sertoma President attends a local club meeting. Other Sertoma members from the district are invited to attend.

Pikes Peak Soap Box Derby

The Sertoma Clubs of the Pikes Peak District sponsor the Pikes Peak Soap Box Derby in June each year. Over 100 volunteers contribute over 1000 hours in planning and running the race. Winners in each of three divisions (Stock, Superstock and Masters) travel to Akron in July to participate in the All American Soap Box Derby.

The goals of the Soap Box Derby program are to promote families working together to teach youngsters some of the basic skills of workmanship, along with the spirit of competition and the perseverance to continue a project to completion. Each driver (age 8 -17) must build their own car, with adult help, to qualify for the race.

To learn more about the Pikes Peak Soap Box Derby, visit their website at soapboxderby.org/pikes-peak.aspx. To volunteer on practice/rally or race day, click here for our online registration.

Sertoma Street Breakfast

The annual Sertoma Street Breakfast is held each June, hosted by the Range Riders and Fort Carson.

The Colorado Springs Street Breakfast takes place in June, from 5:30 a.m to 9 a.m. on the corner of Pikes Peak and Tejon in downtown Colorado Springs. The breakfast is prepared and served by Fort Carson volunteers and all proceeds from the breakfast go to benefit military charities. The $5 breakfast includes eggs, pancakes, milk, coffee and juice and is free to children under five. The breakfast serves 5,000-6,000 people and raises about $9,000. Local high schools and Serteen clubs also participate in the set up of the 1,100 hay bales that provide the "seating."

At 8 a.m., the Pikes Peak Range Riders will take off on horseback for the 64th Pikes Peak Range Ride in support of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo and to honor the western heritage of the Pikes Peak Region.

The event uses more than 1,100 pounds of pancake batter, 1,500 pounds of eggs, 80 gallons of syrup, 500 gallons of coffee, 7,500 pints of milk, and 2,500 pints of juice.

H.E.A.R.S. (Hearing Education and Assistance by Rocky Mountain Sertomans

Since 1988, the Sertoma clubs in the Pikes Peak District have been providing hearing aids and related services to low-income people who could not otherwise afford them. This program serves children and adults in El Paso, Pueblo and Teller Counties.

Funding comes from SERTOMA clubs, and representatives of the clubs administer the program. Working with local audiologists and ENT's (ear, nose and throat doctors) who offer their services at a reduced rate for this program, the H.E.A.R.S. program has provided brand-new hearing aids to over 2,300 qualified individuals ranging in age from 18 months to 100+.

Prospective clients complete an application to determine the level of assistance, based on income. You can receive an application for the H.E.A.R.S. program by contacting a local SERTOMA club or calling 719-352-5124.

In August of each year, H.E.A.R.S and local Sertoma Clubs sponsor the HEARS 5K Experience, a Fun Walk and Run. To participate visit their website - www.H5KE.org

http://WWW.HEARSCOSP.ORG