The annual CFB Shilo fundraising campaign for the United Way kicked off with a flag raising at the Military Family Resource Centre, on Sept. 12.  (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag Media)

K-J Millar
Shilo Stag Media

More than $28,000 was raised in the 2023 CFB Shilo United Way campaign. The 2024 goal is $30,000, Captain Tanner Kavanaugh said at the flag-raising ceremony initiating the fundraising, on Sept 12.

Last year’s total was a six-year high and a record-breaker for the CFB Shilo community’s efforts, said Kavanaugh, who is OPI for the project.

Members of the community, military and civilian, gathered around the flagpole at the Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) to wave in the annual appeal, which runs from today to Dec. 31.

United Way Board Member Jim Doppler, who was also Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) twice at CFB Shilo, said a message that doesn’t always resonate back is that money raised in the campaign does find its return into the military community. He cited an example of an MFRC funding request currently being processed to help families with the upcoming large deployments.

Cynamon Mychasiw, CEO of United Way, said the partnership with CFB Shilo goes back further than her 16 years at the organization.

“We have 21 agencies and 32 programs we fund in the area. Our goal is to make sure they have sustainable funding to complete the impact pieces they need to do.”

Funding goes towards food security, mentorship programs, agency support such as shelter, crisis counselling and career connections.

“[The funding helps] us to build people’s lives and support those with developmental disabilities,” Mychasiw said.

“We are so fortunate to have such a long-standing partnership with CFB Shilo … I want to express our gratitude to this community for such a strong relationship.”

Capt. Kavanaugh said various units and departments around the Base will participate in the campaign, adding that the winter tire and oil change clinic is just one endeavour. Last year, carpenter apprentices built a shed, which aided in skill development and was raffled off.

MFRC has also started its annual raffle with tickets on sale at the office.