Many years ago, while serving as Grand Marshal of the Charlotte Veterans Day Parade, former prisoner of war and retired Air Force Col. Quincy Collins realized a mere handful of veterans were responsible for putting on… Their Own Parade. Collins discovered this small group had little community support, even though the parade was billed as a Charlotte event to recognize area veterans for their service and sacrifice. Collins formed a Blue-ribbon Panel to include Hugh McColl and former Mayor John Belk and subsequently founded the non-profit now bearing his name Collins Freedom Foundation (CFF). Since 1995 the Collins Freedom Foundation has hosted the Salute to Veterans Parade in Uptown Charlotte and accompanying Freedom Breakfast! CFF has since expanded its mission to honor the service of first responders with the Patriotism Bowl and engage in youth leadership training through the Patriotic Art Competition & Exhibition, Flags in Classrooms, the JROTC Book Study program, and INSPIRE Youth Leadership seminars, among other community programs including the Rising Stars young professionals initiative. Join Collins Freedom Foundation, so that together we may INSPIRE patriotic citizenship in our youth through leadership training as we engage our community with programs and events that HONOR veterans and first responders.
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