Building Community

“Pulling together as a community is the only way the goals of the Dragonfly Wings Foundation can truly take flight. Ideas are easy, we have a million of them, but execution is not possible without teamwork and community wide support.”

– Wes Hester

How We Are Helping

  1. Construction Trades Program: Our program provides students with the creative and technical skills to to gain valuable, real-life experience through classroom and on the job training. Much of our training requires extensive hands-on education garnered through paid apprenticeships. Upon graduation, our students are fully prepared to work for small and large contracting firms that can eventually lead to roles in project management or administration, as well as gaining certification as a general contractor.

  2. Flemings on 4th: Flemings, our brick and mortar location, will feature: a soda fountain operated by the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA); seasonal events; weekly specials; community projects; retail items and auctions. All proceeds, above operating costs, will benefit teachers and educational initiatives in Dent County. Teachers who volunteer will also receive credits for each hour worked to offset the out of pocket expenses they spend in their classroom and for their students.

  3. Online sales and promotions: We will be conducting sales of goods and services via our website and FaceBook pages; cash and carry pop up sales; and a host of other online activities to raise funds for the foundation. If you have good or services you would like to donate, please contact us.

  4. Creative Learning: We will be conducting cooking classes, reading circles, quilting bees, and other community activities in Flemings on 4th. If you have an idea that you would like to see or teach, please contact us.

What We Have Achieved So Far

  • Purchase and renovation of Flemings on 4th which will become a foundation store to benefit teachers and education initiatives. The R80 CTP is doing all the renovations!

  • Commitment to the R-80 Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) to operate the soda fountain inside of Flemings as a real world learning experience for the students.

  • Commitment to work closely with, and support, City of Salem Economic Development initiatives.

  • Commitment for teacher reward program in 2024-2025.

  • Funding and ongoing support of the R-80 Construction Trades Program (R-80 CTP).

  • Purchase of house at 100 S. MacArthur.

  • Purchase of property at 102 S. Henderson slated for a new build home by Constructions Trades Program.

  • Foundation Headquarters are now located at 102 S. MacArthur Avenue.

  • Annual Memorial Gifts in the amount of $50,000 were gifted to purchase new band uniforms for Salem Senior High School.