Significant donation brings cadets closer to a new hall
By Kyra Hoggan
The Castlegar Air Cadet Squadron is $1,705 closer to a new hall after Smile Cookie week at Tim Hortons.
“Kathy and Chris Sykes, owners of the Castlegar Tim Hortons, presented 581 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron with a cheque last Tuesday,” said Commanding Officer Gerry Rempel. “During the week (of Oct. 14 to 20), Cadets helped at Tim Hortons, doing a variety of duties such as cleaning tables, greeting patrons, etc.
“Our squadron is extremely appreciative of the Syke’s awesome donation”
Also the same evening, Warrant Officer 2 Elizabeth Laramee was promoted to Warrant Officer 1, F/Sgt Noami Notarstefano was promoted to Warrant Officer 2, and LAC Anthony Ismay was promoted to the rank of Corporal.
Rempel said the donation is particularly timely, as the current facility the cadets are using, at 216 8 Ave., is aging and has serious structural issues.
“The current hall was built, I believe, in the 1940s,” he said. “The cadets have been there since 1994, when it was donated to us by the Kiwanis Club. We’ve had many productive, wonderful years there, but it’s time to look at some alternatives.”
He said the structural issues with the foundation and footings are such that the organization is hopefully looking at a new building, rather than repairing the existing one – a sensible approach for a growing program.
“We are growing. We have, I think, 30 cadets right new, with a few new joining already this year (of course, we take interested youth between the ages of 12 and 18 any time of year).”
Tim Hortons’ Kathy Sykes says they run the Smile Cookie campaign every year, and organizations can apply to be the recipient – previous recipients have included the cadets, the Castlegar hospital auxiliary and the KBRH.
“We’ve been doing it for roughly 15 years,” she said. “Chris and I live here, it’s our community, and this is a wonderful opportunity to give back. 100 per cent of the proceeds of cookie sales go to our chosen recipient.”
This is but one of the many ways Castlegar Tim Hortons gives back to the community, along with the Tim Bits leagues and the Tim Hortons camp.
“Everything we support is specifically tied to children,” she said. “It’s neat, to be able to do this.”
Comments