Kelly Counsell of Hillsburgh was the big winner at the annual lasagna dinner held by the rin Air Cadets, Ross Ferguson Squadron 242.
Her winning choice of “Heads” won her a 32” Hisense Smart TV which was donated to the event by the Erin Optimists.
The recent annual dinner at the Erin Legion and featured music by the Erin District High School Band which was conducted by Miss Cameron.
There were over 100 raffle items and silent auction items to bid on; there were opportunities for the kids in the crowd to guess how many candies were in three donated candy jars and of course we had the best lasagna around thanks to Fergie’s Fine Foods of Fergus.
There was a sellout crowd for the evening of 195 people. The crowd included the majority of the Erin Town Council including Mayor Allan Alls.
The event also included an appearance by Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong.
Also attending were many members of the Erin Optimists in addition to the friends and families of the 242 cadets.
The event raised $4,185 – the highest amount yet.
Some of this money will be put away for a rainy day so to speak and the rest will support activities undertaken by the squadron such as field trips; multi-squadron Sports competition days and weekends; the shooting/biathlon/orienteering teams and our Annual Review which will be held on June 13 this year.
The lasagna dinner fundraiser is a yearly highlight of the squadron each year.
The publicity and exposure to the community helps in the recruitment of new cadets.
Organizers would like to thank their two latest recruits, Kaitlyn Dornhoff and David Crook. The squadron is a relatively small, about 30 local youth ages 12-19, but they have a powerhouse of parents behind them. Lead by Connie Bennett, the parents rallied to find donations of more than 100 auction and raffle items.
These people organized the setup and the food, and served 180 supporters a fabulous lasagna dinner.
The EDHS school band provided the entertainment and nearly everyone went home with a prize from the raffle. Another a big thank you to the Erin Optimists who provided the grand prize of the evening, a Hisense 32” smart TV.
Cadets is a national program offered to all youth aged 12 to 18 years old promoting discipline, leadership, citizenship, physical activity and healthy living. Monies raised fund field trips, multi-unit Sports competition weekends, shooting/biathlon team and non-funded meals and transportation needs.
The 242 Ross Ferguson Squadron continues to accept registrations for the 2014/15 training year for more information check out our website at www.242erinaircadets.com.
