Keeter Center supports 'I Pledge Project' with ice cream for kids

By CINDY THOMAS, Staff Writer

The Keeter Center lobby on the College of the Ozarks campus was a busy place on Thursday afternoon, July 28. Many local and visiting children and their families took advantage of the opportunity to earn free ice cream for reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Kids from the Howard and Clopton families were proud participants

Photo by Cindy Thomas

Nettie Marie’s Homemade Ice Cream, located inside the Keeter Center, was a proud participant in the I Pledge Project, which rewards children age 12 and under across America for their patriotism by offering a free scoop of ice cream for correctly reciting the Pledge, along with the chance to have their photo taken by a United States flag. The immensely popular project is now in its eleventh year, starting on July 1 each year and continuing throughout the month of July, designated as National Ice Cream Month. The Keeter Center’s participation dates kicked off on July 1 and 4, and continued on Thursday afternoons from 3 to 5 p.m. for the remainder of the month.

Several families took advantage of the project’s last day while visiting the Branson area, including a family vacationing from South Carolina and one from farther north in Missouri who planned the stop into a day at the lake.

One mom commented that while many schools still incorporate reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to start the day, some do not, and she wanted her kids to learn its importance. Another family said they took advantage of the I Pledge Project to discuss the meaning of the Pledge with their children as they memorized it together.

The children were unanimous in agreeing that the ice cream at Nettie Marie’s, made fresh with milk and cream from the college’s own dairy cows, was some of the most delicious they had ever eaten. Check out the list of specialty flavors, plus stay up to date on future special events at the Keeter Center, at www.keetercenter.edu.

Learn more about the I Pledge Project or sign up as a participating ice cream shop at https://www. ipledgeforicecream.com.