851 Prince Edward air cadets salute 100 People Who Care
Administrator | Nov 05, 2019 | Comments 0
851 Prince Edward Squadron cadets and staff saluted the 100 People Who Care PEC group in thanks for an $11,000 donation presented Monday night at their Macaulay Mountain headquarters.
Mark Davis, one of the founders of 100 People Who Care, noted full support from the organization to choose the cadets as recipients of the group’s quarterly donation.
“You are all men and women of respect. You listen. You present yourselves well. You care. You don’t interrupt and you do things many other kids don’t do. Therefore, you stand out as leaders, as successful, and to that end, a lot of people thought you were very worthy to receive these 110 cheques adding to $11,000.”
Captain Adam Kidd, Commanding Officer of 851 Squadron said the funds would be used to assist the cadets.
“The hope is to help enhance some of the cadet training. We really need to upgrade our flying time. We’re down to one day a year that the kids actually get to fly. We’re air cadets!,” he said, noting private flying can be done at the airport at Loch Sloy. “We would also like to consider scholarship money for some of our cadets – specifically ones taking tech trades that are geared toward aviation, or military. Sometimes $1,000 goes a long, long way.”
The Prince Edward Squadron welcomes youth aged 12 to 18 to participate in a variety of skills-based activities including citizenship, leadership, communication, survival, marksmanship and aerospace.
Cadets are not members of the Canadian Forces, but the movement is sponsored by the Department of National Defence in partnership with the Air Cadet League of Canada.
Over the past two years, the 100 People Who Care Prince Edward County group has
presented about $100,000 to County charities.
Members are seeking charities that may be less widely-known, and thus are not being nominated by its membership.
“We are concerned that there are groups out there that people don’t know much about, and that aren’t getting the opportunity to be nominated,” said Davis.
The group considers local organizations with a registered charitable number (or those under the umbrella of another organization able to provide tax receipts).
All money must remain and be utilized within Prince Edward County, thus excluding charities such as the Cancer Society, or the Heart and Stroke Foundation as they cannot guarantee the money will be used in any one specific location.
The group meets quarterly to choose a recipient. With no operating costs and no paid staff, the group handles no cash.
“Each member has pledged to give a $100 cheque four times a year, in order to support our community,” said Davis. “The donations are tax-deductible and each member of 100 People collects four $100 tax receipts at the end of the year.”
Prior to their quarterly meetings, members receive an email encouraging them to nominate a local charity for consideration.
All submissions are put into the ring and three proposals are blindly selected as finalists.
“The nominator agrees to do a two-to-three minute talk on why they put forth the charity, what contributions the organization makes locally, and how monies would be spent should they win,” said Davis. “A secret vote between the three finalists is then taken and counted, and the winner receives all the members’ cheques for that quarter. With the exception of the very first meeting, every meeting has resulted in a total gift of over $10,000 to the winning charity.”
So far, there have been nine winning charities:
Prince Edward Learning Center, Oct. 2017
Picton United Church Food Bank, Jan. 2018
Alternatives For Women, April 2018
Glenwood Cemetery damage repair fund, July 2018
Reaching for Rainbows, Oct. 2018
Wellington Auxiliary Rescue Association, Jan 2019
Healing with Horses, April 2019
County Kids Read (under PECAC), July 2019
851 Prince Edward Squadron, Oct. 2019.
Qualifying organizations are invited to submit an overview (200-300) words max, including their mandate and mission statement, of the work they do to benefit people living here in the County.
As well, the group continues to welcome new members. Meetings are usually held the first Monday of each quarter at the Waring Hall, courtesy of fellow members Norah and Chris Rodgers. A social gathering is held from 6:45 p.m. to the meeting time of 7:30 p.m.
All interested charities should submit their information to 100peoplewhocarepec@gmail.com or, call committee member Mark Davis directly at 613-922-7722 with questions.
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