After a five-year hiatus, the Aldergrove 1922 Royal Canadian Army Cadets saw a successful return of its annual bottle drive on Saturday, Feb. 24, at the Naval Radio Station in Aldergrove.
While some activities for the cadets are covered through other funds, cadet support committee chair Shawna Winter said they heavily rely on donations.
“I think the weather hindered the turnout a bit, but it was still decent and cadets seemed to have fun – which is the important factor!” Winter said.
Winter said 12 “mega bins” for the local Return-It depot were filled and collected, amounting to a total of $806.32 raised.
Some events held thanks to donations include pizza nights, barbecues, and the end of year activities like Wild Play or bowling, she shared.
Fishing Panda made chili for the cadets, which kept them warm in the brisk weather.
People who couldn’t make it to the drive on Saturday can still make bottle donations for the cadets at any Return-It depot under the account number 778-982-9732.
People with questions can contact Winter at psc1922@outlook.com.
Winter said the cadets are planning future events in the community soon.
Built during the Second World War, Naval Radio Section Aldergrove remains the Royal Canadian Navy’s primary communications relay site for Maritime Forces Pacific, receiving high and low frequency signals used in long-distance radio communications.
A second, related base, in Matsqui near Sumas Mountain, has a transmitting station.
Early in the war, naval radio communications was run from Vancouver Island, near the major base and docks at Esquimalt, but interference was a serious problem.
In 1942, a decision was made to build new stations, on 1,220 acres in Aldergrove and 230 acres in Matsqui, which, in Aldergrove, includes a large buffer zone to prevent electromagnetic interference from local development.
READ ALSO: PHOTOS: $10k in ‘bail’ funds raised by volunteers for Langley animal shelter
RELATED: Langley firefighters, cops get soaked to help Special Olympics
