Using funds from the sale of their downtown building, Trail Knights of Pythias Society has made a meaningful — and impactful — $25,000 donation to the Trail Air Cadets program.
“The 531 City of Trail Squadron Sponsoring Committee is extremely grateful for the generous donation from the Knights of Pythias,” says Diane Langman, committee member.
“During COVID, our squadron, like many others across Canada, had a huge decline in enrollment.
“With a lot of hard work from our commanding officers and senior cadets, we have more than doubled our squadron numbers in just under a year.”
While this remarkable growth is very much welcomed, the squadron, unfortunately, is now facing budget constraints.
“This funding came at such an incredible time,” Langman adds.
“It will go towards the various training exercises scheduled throughout the year including Leadership Exercises, Live-In Weekend, Survival Weekend, Sports Weekend, fun activities for Cadets that are run each month, and the Annual Ceremonial Review and Banquet where cadets demonstrate the skills they have learned all year to their friends and family.”
Langman says the Squadron Sponsoring Committee has also set a goal to begin fundraising for the 2024/2025 year. Monies raised will be invested into a trip to the Okanagan for a visit to the Aerospace Centre of Excellence.
Air cadets is a free program for youth ages 12 to 18 and runs every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Trail armoury.
Anyone interested and seeking more information is encouraged to contact the 531 Trail Air Cadets at 531air@cadets.gc.ca or email 531chair@gmail.com.