If you think the only purpose of Air Cadets is to teach kids about flying and working on airplanes, you should think again.  

A big part of what Air Cadets teaches is giving back to your community, something that the members of the 88 Airdrie Lynx Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron have been doing in many ways in the last few months.

Travis Jensen is the Chair of the Friends of '88 Squadron' Society.  He explains that giving back is an important part of Air Cadets.  

"As part of the program, it's important for us to give back to the community.  Back in September, we did a massive food drive (for the Airdrie Food Bank) and we raised close to $12,000.  We help out with the Legion and their Poppy Campaign as well as the Salvation Army Christmas Kettles."

The September Food Drive was held at the Real Canadian Superstore in Airdrie.  Jensen says it's an annual event.

"Every September we always try and hold a massive food bank drive.  It was very successful.  The community got involved and donated a lot."

The next project for the 88 Airdrie Lynx involved helping the Legion with the Poppy Campaign.  Jensen says it's important for the group to assist the Legion because of what the organization has done for them.

"Absolutely," says Jensen.  "The squadron also helps sponsor us so they're a big supporter of, not just the Air Cadets, but of all the cadets in Airdrie, the Sea and Army as well.  Anytime we can help them out we like to do it because they do so much for the community and they have done so much for everyone in the past as well."

The squadron also took time in December to help man the Christmas Kettles for the Salvation Army.  Jensen says that is always well received by the Army because of trouble finding enough people to do it.  "They have a tough time filling all of their positions sometimes.  We're fortunate because of our numbers, we're able to cover a lot of ground so it's a great feeling to be able to give back to the Salvation Army."

The Air Cadets program covers many different things.  Jensen explains that aviation is a huge part of it.  Outside of that, the group does camping excursions that teach basic survival skills and also teach music, drills, marksmanship, biathlon, and different sports.  

The 88 Airdrie Lynx Royal Canadian Air Cadets has 117 members who range in age from 12 to 18.  For more information on the group visit www.airdrieaircadets.ca.