CHARLOTTE — Nearly 100 students from Charlotte Catholic High School were among the more than 400 volunteers who helped make the 18th annual Camp SOAR a success at the Levine Jewish Community Center.
The campers, working with the volunteers/ “buddies,” participated in sports including soccer, basketball, tennis, and swimming as well as fitness, bingo and art projects.
The men and women of the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department were honored for their outstanding community service. More than a dozen officers engaged with both campers and volunteers throughout the week.
Bob Bowler, Camp SOAR’s founder and director, noted one of the most important objectives during the week-long camp was to have camp attendees feel more comfortable around police.
Charlotte Catholic High School and Appalachian State University graduate Sara Schuler received the annual Victoria A. Bowler Volunteer of the Year Award. A nine-year Camp SOAR volunteer, she is now a middle school special education teacher.
— Al Tinson
