This year on Constitution Day, every 8th grader in Orange County, NY received their own pocket Constitution thanks to a Convention of States Action Volunteer and the 917 Society.
In the spring of 2024 NY & CT’s Jack Collins State Information Analyst (SIA), was talking with friends in the American Legion Post #488 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8858 when he came up with the idea.
Jack made a cold call to the 917 Society in Nashville, TN. Martha Leary, 917 Society Volunteer and Director of Data Management worked with Collins moving forward.
She provided data on 41 schools in the county with 8th graders! The 917 Society agreed to provide the 5,400+ pocket Constitutions! In mid-August 15 boxes of Pocket Constitutions were delivered to his home from the 917 Society!
Six teenage volunteers from the Washingtonville High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) helped him one Friday evening with consuming three pizza’s and packaging the correct numbers into boxes for the 41 schools.
Every educational institution that receives Federal funds for a fiscal year must hold an educational program about the U.S. Constitution for its students on September 17. To assist the Orange County schools in fulfilling this lawful requirement he obtained and distributed 5,400+ pocket Constitutions.
Knowing he couldn’t possibly deliver to 41 different schools on his own, Jack sought help by contacting every state and federal politician and/or candidate for help distributing them. Many did not respond; however, he received enough responses to accomplish this patriotic undertaking.
Tom Lapolla, candidate (and COS Supporter) for NY Assembly District #99, distributed to five private and five public schools. Karl Brabanec, NY Assemblyman for District #98 distributed to three private and six public schools. Lou Ingrassia, Jr., candidate (and COS Supporter) for NY Assembly District #100 distributed to four private and three public schools. Brian Maher, NY Assemblyman for District #101 distributed to three private and five public schools. Dorey Houle, candidate (and COS Supporter) for NY State Senate District #42 distributed to three public schools. Alison Esposito, candidate for US House District #18, distributed to two private and two public schools.
For 2025, Collins is planning on a similar operation but will be offering volunteers to go to an 8th grade assembly in each school to conduct a 20–25-minute constitutional education program to satisfy the Federal Law requirement. To fulfill this enormous task, he will be soliciting volunteers at each American Legion, VFW, and DAV as well as COS Supporters in Orange County who have expressed volunteer interest. He needs about 100 volunteers to cover the county.
Just imagine the potential of our citizenry if everyone were taught the Constitution and made aware of their God given rights throughout their academic career. It is time that “We the People” instill a sense of American pride in every young American to ensure freedom, future prosperity and well-being for all.
