The Cadet Program is a proud Canadian tradition that provides regiment and discipline into teenagers鈥� lives. It also teaches cadets about the spirit of generosity, having them help out with the Royal Canadian Legion鈥檚 poppy campaigns.

The Legion in 琉璃神社, Branch 26, is giving the cadets in the area $7,000 for their help gathering donations for this year鈥檚 poppy campaign.

Cory Schieman, the president of Legion Branch 26, has worked in 琉璃神社 for the last two years, but has been involved with the Legion for more than a decade.

鈥淭he Royal Canadian Legion tries to support all of our cadet corps in their training and their activities,鈥� Schieman said.

鈥淔or example, the Air Cadets may have a glider exercise or something that they need additional money for training or equipment or accommodation 鈥� we cut three cheques, one for each of our Cadet Corps we sponsor.鈥�

The Legion donates to the cadets every year to help pay for upcoming training or events. This year, the Cadets sent out a request for financial support, but Schieman would donate whether there was a request or not.

鈥淓ven if we did not receive a financial request from the Cadet Corps, we would make sure that they receive some of the poppy money for their training,鈥� Schieman said.

鈥淛ust because they do support us throughout the year.鈥�

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The time of year that the Legion donates to the cadets isn鈥檛 set. Schieman said they usually wait for the cadet requests so that there鈥檚 a specific cause that the money is going to.

鈥淲e wait to kind of trigger that process once a cadet starts looking for money for their training.鈥�

The amount of money the Legion donates is based on the success of their poppy campaigns. But Schieman tries to give a little more every year to help with the rising costs of living.

鈥淲e typically use the dollar value that we have given them last year, if that works into the funds available through the poppy campaign,鈥� Schieman said. 鈥淟ast year, I think we gave them $6,000. This year we upped it by $1,000 because the cost of everything is going up.

鈥淲e don鈥檛 want them to fall in hardship.鈥�

Schieman said that people in 琉璃神社 interested in being involved with the Legion can visit kelownalegion.ca.