Scout House awarded two major grants

Preston Scout House Band Inc. is receiving a major financial boost from two long-standing supporters: the city of Cambridge and the William and Vera Fisher Family Fund, received through the Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF).

The $1,700 grant from the Fisher Family Fund matches last year’s donation, bringing total family grants over the past 16 years to more than $18,000. The fund was established in 2008 to support Preston Scout House Band and two other organizations in perpetuity,

The WRCF also provided major funding for Scout House Cadets drum and bugle corps before the group became inactive following the COVID pandemic shutdown of most music activities.

The city of Cambridge community program grant of $1,200 is a 20% increase from the 2023 grant. Municipal support for Scout House Band dates back to the 1940s, when the Town of Preston began providing annual grants to help support the group’s operating costs. The tradition continued when the towns of Preston, Galt, Hespeler and Blair amalgamated more than 50 years ago to become the city of Cambridge.

Scout House recently invited current and former members, family and friends to celebrate the group’s 86th year during a Summer Social at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 126 Preston. The event attracted visitors from as far away as Quebec and Tennessee.

In addition to the city and WRCF, Scout House community partners include Kitchener Access Storage, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 530 Waterloo and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 126 Preston.

Preston Scout House Band Inc. is a non-profit corporation with registered charity status able to issue tax receipts to donors, incorporated under the Corporations Act of the Province of Ontario on November 29, 1956.

The current active unit is Silver Leaves Brass, an all-age award winning brass ensemble scheduled to appear in about 15 area parades and concerts this year.

For more information about Preston Scout House Band Inc. activities, contact telephone (519) 653-3376, email PSHBAND [dot] INC [at] outlook [dot] com