Cadets’ Corner is a weekly column submitted by the 37 Orville Hand Air Cadet Squadron.
Cadets have a great opportunity to represent 37 Orville Hand Air Cadet squadron within the community and showcase what the Air Cadet Program is all about. Cadets will be standing outside of stores within Bradford along with a tagging box in an effort to raise funds to support all the extracurricular activities that they do during the training year.
During the course of the training year, 37 Squadron participates in two yearly tag day fundraisers — one in the fall and one in the spring. Money raised during these two fundraisers provides the bulk of the squadron’s funding to conduct optional training activities.
From Friday, March 22 through to Sunday, March 24, cadets are going to be positioned in various public locations and collecting donations from citizens. In return, a donor receives an “I Support Air Cadets” tag to wear on their clothing or use as a bookmark. All funds raised go toward squadron operations.
Tagging provides the cadets the responsibility of raising funds for themselves in order to have the “extras” not funded by the military, such as social and recreational activities, and recognition awards.
The Department of National Defence (DND) does cover the cost of uniforms and some resources for the Air Cadets. All of the remaining funding for the Air Cadet League is the responsibility of the local cadet corps. The Support Committee works hard during the year to make relationships with locations so that we have the best opportunity to raise the most money. And all cadets have to do is stand there! Easy-peasy!
What is tagging money used for?
- Entry into parades (Such as Santa Clause).
- Hot dinners and snacks for cadets during FTX, Christmas mess dinner, year-end barbecue.
- Funding for awards and trophies and takeaways for award winners, and rental fees for the location of our annual cadet review in June.
- Training equipment such as marksmanship and drill and sports equipment.
- Optional trips, like rock climbing, trampoline park, or curling, year-end trips.
- Special uniform pieces not covered by the DND, such as nametags, sashes, pace sticks, and flag party belts.
- Paper to use in the office to print permissions sheets, kit lists, and lessons.
- Many other items in the $20,000-plus yearly budget.
Air cadets is the biggest youth organization in Canada that helps young people between the ages of 12 and 19. Cadets develop leadership skills and independence.
Thank you to our community partners who provide the cadets an opportunity to raise the funds required to keep the program running and provide fun, memorable experiences.
The 37 Orville Hand Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron continually accepts recruit applications throughout the year. Completed application packages will be accepted online at bradfordaircadets.ca.
