As a way to help those in need this holiday season, a pile of new, unwrapped toys was recently delivered to the North Marion School District in Oregon by the Columbia Aviation Association (CAA), which is based at Aurora State Airport (KUAO).
The donation was part of the association’s annual toy drive, and the most recent example of the club giving back to the community, according to officials.
That philanthropy is one of the club’s “best-kept secrets,” according to CAA President Bruce Bennett.
Along with the annual toy drive, many of the club’s 120 members are involved year-round with Airway Science for Kids (ASK), a program dedicated to teaching STEM education through aviation to low income and youth of color.
CAA began in 1949 and was originally based at the Portland Airport until relocating to Aurora in 1995. The association provides pilots with friendship, training, and opportunities to expand their aviation expertise, according to club officials.