ACCESS of Wilmington celebrates 10 years of Project SOAR

WILMINGTON, NC — ACCESS of Wilmington will mark the 10th anniversary of Project SOAR, an adaptive recreation program serving veterans with service-connected disabilities and illnesses and first responders.

The organization will hold a private anniversary celebration Saturday, Aug. 15, from 5 to 11 p.m. at the Miracle Field at Olsen Park in Wilmington.

Project SOAR — which stands for Sports, Outreach, Adapted Recreation — was launched in 2016. The program provides adaptive sports, recreation and community activities focused on physical health, mental well-being and connection.

ACCESS of Wilmington says Project SOAR has served hundreds of veterans and first responders since its creation. More than 200 participants took part in the program over the past year.

The anniversary event will include food, music, adaptive sports, games and animal therapy. A movie night is scheduled to begin at dusk.

The event will bring together Project SOAR participants and their families, veterans, first responders, volunteers, law enforcement, community leaders and program partners.

The event is private.

ACCESS of Wilmington is a nonprofit organization founded in 2008 that provides adapted sports and recreation programs for children, adults, first responders and veterans living with disabilities in southeastern North Carolina.