Raising almost half a million dollars is a reason to celebrate. And with special guest Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay on hand, the celebration grew.

The volunteer leaders and fundraisers behind the Operation Hero scholarship program had an opportunity to meet with MacKay during his visit to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden and then Barrie on August 12. MacKay acknowledged the success of the scholarship, which already has raised $425,000 locally.

The funds will benefit family members of military personnel who are pursuing a post-secondary education at Georgian College.  

MacKay said there really are heroes behind Operation Hero.

Jamie Massie, an honourary colonel with CFB Borden and a local business leader, launched Operation Hero with a group dedicated community volunteers. He said the goal of the program is to create an endowed scholarship fund, to build bridges between Base Borden, the community and Georgian College and to find a way to thank Canadian soldiers.

To date, one scholarship has been awarded through Operation Hero. The recipient was Stephanie Weatherbee, who will begin her studies in Nursing at Georgian this fall. The goal is to provide three scholarships per year valued at $4,000 each.

CFB Borden is home to almost 1,800 soldiers, sailors, air men and women posted as base staff and instructors with over 15,000 service men and women of all ranks rotating through the base annually for training.

Inset: Celebrating the successes of Operation Hero, from left, are businessman Jamie Massie, Georgian College President and CEO Brian Tamblyn, CFB Borden Commander Col. Louis Meloche, Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay, and MP Patrick Brown. Mark Wanzel photo