Charity honours fallen soldiers with scholarships for their children

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This article was published 26/08/2024 (408 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Malia Davis’s father was killed in 2006 while serving in Afghanistan.

The 21-year-old student now benefits from a Canada Company scholarship awarded to the children of fallen Canadian Forces soldiers.

She’s grateful for the help she’s received for the past three years, knowing her father, Cpl. Paul James Davis, would have wanted her to pursue a post-secondary education.

“When hearing about this scholarship and receiving it, I’m not just thinking about myself. I’m also thinking about the other recipients… and what their family possibly went through, as well,” said Davis.

“I’m able to thank my dad in a little way.”

Davis is about to start her fourth year in the fine arts program at the University of Manitoba.

Her sister Julia Davis, who is studying psychology, also received a scholarship from the charity that supports families and members of the military.

Davis, who works as a part-time server at James Avenue Pumphouse, said she wouldn’t be able to save enough money for tuition on her own.

“I feel a great deal of privilege to be able to receive that (support) every year,” she said. “It’s just really great to not have to feel that feeling of worrying about how I’m going to pay my tuition every year.”

This year, the scholarship was raised from $4,000 to $5,000, which covers almost all of her tuition for the year.

The money is a huge financial-stress reliever for her mother, she said.

Canada Company awarded 18 Canadian students scholarship funds for the upcoming school year on Aug. 15.

Founder and chair Blake Goldring said since creating the fund in 2007, 257 scholarships have gone to 87 students from across the country.

“It’s really fantastic to see these young people who face a pretty daunting challenge get through their studies,” said Goldring. “It’s really gratifying to see this impact on these young people, these families.”

The scholarship isn’t just about financially supporting students, but also connects them with others who have gone through similar life situations.

Recipients who attend the award ceremony are able to meet others who have lost a family member through conflict, he said, adding the scholarship money is raised via donations to Canada Company, mostly from various organizations, Goldring said.

“They see the benefit that by helping the kids, they get a proper foundation,” he said.

“It helps them through a really dark phase of their lives, just makes a little ray of sunshine through the dark clouds.”

jura.mcilraith@freepress.mb.ca