A co-founder of what began as a single service station in Vernon has taken flight with those humble beginnings and given his wings to Vernonsa国际传媒檚 Okanagan College (OC).

Robert Foord the son of Kal Tire co-founder Tom Foor has donated, alongside family members, his fathersa国际传媒檚 plane to the collegesa国际传媒檚 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) program.

Tom helped blossom Kal Tire from a small tire shop in Vernon to an international behemoth.

sa国际传媒淢y dad loved flying and he loved this community,sa国际传媒� said Robert, one of Tomsa国际传媒檚 five children and current Kal Tire president. sa国际传媒淗e also put enormous value on education and hands-on training and would be proud that his plane has been donated to the Aircraft Maintenance Engineer students for that very purpose.sa国际传媒�

The plane is a Cessna 210G Centurion. The keys were handed over to OC President Jim Hamilton and OC Foundation executive director Helen Jackman during a ceremony at Vernonsa国际传媒檚 Aerospace campus in 2019.

sa国际传媒淲e know how important hands-on training is for students to solidify their learning and this plane will provide that,sa国际传媒� said Hamilton. sa国际传媒淭his Cessna also demonstrates to our students that the community supports their education. Tom Foord exemplified hard work, determination and community spirit. We hope his legacy of reaching for the sky inspires students.sa国际传媒�

In addition to the plane, Kal Tire donated $250,000 to OCsa国际传媒檚 Trades Training Centre in Vernon, which opened in 2018.

sa国际传媒淚 want to express Okanagan Collegesa国际传媒檚 sincere gratitude to the Foord family for their continued support of trades training in the North Okanagan,sa国际传媒� said Hamilton.

A decal in memory of Tom was placed on the plane and a plaque sharing his story will be on display in the training hangar.

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bowen.assman@vernonmorningstar.com
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