According to a post on the City of Lake Wales Facebook page last week, local resident and former Commissioner Daniel Kreuger has donated approximately 45,000 handbooks containing copies of historical documents to both Lake Wales Charter Schools and Polk County School District schools in Lake Wales, Lakeland Christian Academy, Winter Haven Christian, Providence Academy and Heartland Christian Academy in Sebring.

The City’s post, dated Sept. 6, says, “Students will have the ability to learn about the founding documents and gain more knowledge on their individual rights and the history of the country. They contain the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution with index, Patrick Henry’s Famous Speech and an essay by Mathew D. Staver. Handbooks will be distributed to each school and dispersed at their discretion.”

Krueger, who has been handing out the booklets for about a decade, started small. He explains how the idea developed.

“I ran out of pocket constitutions on August 15,” he says. “I started handing out pocket constitutions about 10 years ago. Just a few here and a few there. Recently, I went to a Salt and Light event at a local church and handed out 65. That pretty much depleted my supply.

“So, I called Liberty Counsel to order 100 more. They wanted to know why I need so many so I explained. They got back to me a couple days later and said they would send 100 (copies) for the cost of shipping.

“That gave me the idea to try and get enough for all middle and high school students in the Lake Wales charter schools. That would be 2,500. So, I called them back. A couple days later they called and said they would send the 2,500 for no charge.

“My first thought was overwhelming gratitude to them and to God, as His hand was clearly involved.”

Determined to obtain enough copies for all the students, Krueger started making more calls.

“We were on a roll,” Krueger says. “My next call was to the Polk County Public Schools. They would need 44,000 (copies). Liberty Council could not handle that. I had cleaned out their entire supply and there would not be time to reprint in time for Constitution Day, Sept. 17.

“I found an alternative supplier I had ordered from before. They would sell me what I need and charge me $.42 each. I made some calls and had commitments for $11,450.00. I called in the order for 45,000 (copies); (Cost was) $18,900.00 and I put it on my credit card…and set about to raise the rest of the money. I still need about $1,800.00.”

Krueger personally delivered the copies to Lake Wales Charter Schools on Sept. 5. Polk County’s copies arrived via carrier on Sept. 6, in 64, 50 lb. boxes.

Lake Wales Daily could not independently confirm whether the booklets would be distributed to the schools this week.

When asked why he wanted to share these booklets with the local school systems, Krueger had this to offer:

“I firmly believe God was leading me and showing me what could be done. And He is doing it! The education of our future generations is the future of our country. If they don’t know and appreciate the God inspired principles and precepts contained in the constitution, and the God given unalnieable rights they have, how will they know when they are being deceived by the evil lies of socialism and communism. It is worth the effort.”

Tonight, Sept. 17, on National Constitution Day, Krueger will accept a Constitution Week proclamation at the Lake Wales City Commission meeting.