It was as near as one can get to a perfect event.
By a rough count, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds’ demonstration of aerobatics over White Rock was seen and enjoyed by tens of thousands of people last Wednesday.
Sunshine and clear skies drew White Rock residents to decks and patios and the promenade in force, and there was virtually ‘not a bad seat in the house’ for the breathtaking display of expertise by some of Canada’s finest pilots.
Not bad for a free show, either – although, of course, the Snowbirds’ display is not really a free show. While they love to fly before an appreciative crowd, the Snowbirds don’t go to all the logistical lengths and expense of staging such a flying exhibition just so we can sit back on lawn chairs and be entertained.
The event is called Snowbirds Fly For C.H.I.L.D. for a reason. It’s the elite team’s commendable investment in the C.H.I.L.D. Foundation’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness – and ultimately funds – for children who must daily battle the problems of intestinal and liver disorders.
A particular point of the annual summer shows – in which White Rock, happily, is part of the circuit – is supporting the quest for a cure for very ill children with Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis.
For those of us who have never had the misfortune to suffer such diseases and disorders, it’s yet another reason for us to count our blessings and demonstrate our own empathy – quite apart from being able to witness such an extraordinary event in our own backyards.
If everyone who saw and enjoyed the Snowbirds over White Rock made even a small donation, it would make a huge difference.
Thanks to the C.H.I.L.D. Foundation’s new ‘Text To Donate’ campaign, anyone who uses their cellphone or portable device to text the word SNOWBIRD to 41010 will make an automatic donation of $10, which will show up on their next phone bill.
In the grand scheme of things, for most it’s not a lot of money and not a big impact on the individual or family budget. We dare say that many of those who enjoyed the Snowbirds’ display spent more than that driving to their vantage point or buying food and beverages before or after the event.
If you appreciated the Snowbirds, please consider making a donation. Multiplied by all those who were there to cheer the team on, and take photos of the planes overhead, a small contribution could make a big difference to those less fortunate than ourselves.