MOOSE JAW - The Friends of the Forces Fellowship had another successful car show this year, which allowed it to donate $6,000 to several cadet groups during its recent appreciation dinner.
Phil Adkins, chairman of the Fellowship, told nearly 100 attendees during the Oct. 10 meal at 15 Wing’s social centre that the 2024 Highway to Heroes Car Show in July turned a nice profit, even with hot weather baking the exhibition grounds and similar events happening elsewhere.
Meanwhile, since 2014, the organization has raised more than $100,000 from its car shows, with most of that money directly or indirectly supporting military families through the Military Family Resources Centre.
“So we’re very thankful to provide that level of support,” he remarked.
The Fellowship has also donated money to various community groups, including air, sea, and army cadet corps, with many youths volunteering during the shows and doing good work, Adkins added.
Coun. Kim Robinson — also a car show judge — brought greetings on behalf of the City of Moose Jaw. He thanked event chairwoman Joyce Walter for her work organizing the show and the more than 100 volunteers — civilians, military personnel and cadets — who contributed their time.
“It was wonderful. To me, it was a resounding success. We had huge participation from our volunteer groups and from the public,” he continued. “I’m very proud that this is hosted in our city every year and I just want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone that participated this year.
“And I look forward to next year (because) it gets better every year.”
While introducing Walter, Adkins said she worked tirelessly with the small organizing committee to ensure everything went smoothly. Taking the microphone, Walter said she became involved with an organization that does so much work because she enjoys the people she meets and appreciates the sacrifices they’re willing to make.
“It’s because of all of you that I’ve been involved. And hopefully, we’ll do some other things, and I’ll see you all there,” she added.
Walter and Adkins then began handing out cheques and acknowledgement awards to the nearly 50 sponsors and over 90 volunteers, although not everyone was in attendance to receive the recognition.
The Fellowship members noted that the organization had given nearly $30,000 in financial assistance during the past three years to military families, veterans’ organizations and cadets.
St. John Ambulance received a cheque, with Cody Geiger and Tony Sugarman accepting on behalf of the organization.
The 1856 Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corp — which formed on Jan. 9, 1942 — received a cheque. It was commended for assisting with the car show, from manning the gates to providing water to volunteers to handing out programs, windows cards and dash plaques.
Accepting on behalf of the Corp were commanding officer Wayne Fisher and cadets Shayna Budereea, Paul Zambrano, Jacklyn Burgess and Dan St. Amour.
The 99 Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps and Navy League received a cheque. It was commended for assisting at the car show, including monitoring the gates and completing tasks spontaneously, like delivering water to volunteers.
Accepting on behalf of the group were Katie Brander, Bruce Boczkowski, Naomi Boczkowski, Oscar Wigton and Vincent Millette.
No. 40 Snowbird Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron received a cheque. It was commended for handing out Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) 100th-anniversary souvenirs that the Fellowship received from the air base; the souvenir table was busy all day.
Accepting on behalf of the squadron was Capt. Ryan Johnson and cadets Cpl. Izelle Bodenstein, Cpl. Chloe McCoy and Cpl. Farah d’Entremont.
Afterward, Adkins added that the Fellowship is unsure if it will hold the car show next year because it needs more volunteers.
