Purchases from Vanguard Continue Benefiting CAP

Alexis Faire
Contributing Writer

​When members of Civil Air Patrol buy needed items such as clothing, training materials, uniform accessories and medals and ribbons, they have a chance to help fund the very organization they belong to. That’s because Vanguard Industries, the official vendor for CAP, contributes a percentage of members’ purchases to CAP’s coffers.

The company – founded in 1918, though it didn’t really begin to grow until the start of World War II – and CAP began working together in January 2006, said John McClain, general manager of East Coast operations for Vanguard.

The relationship has “grown tremendously over the last 10 years,” said McClain, whose company also sells to members of the nation's military branches. “We have a group of folks here that’s really committed to Civil Air Patrol.”

Figures from National Headquarters show contributions from Vanguard have increased each fiscal year since 2014, totaling more than $535,000 over that period:

• $118,366 for fiscal 2014,
   
• $125,672 for fiscal 2015,
   
• $132,602 for fiscal 2016, and
   
• $158,779 for fiscal 2017.

Funding for fiscal 2018, which ends Sept. 30, is expected to reach $165,000, which would elevate the five-year total past $700,000.

This year, the Vanguard proceeds have been spent on such CAP activities as the Engineering Technologies Academy at Middle Tennessee State University, the Inspector General College, National Staff College, Hawk Mountain Ranger School and the National Emergency Services Academy. Funds are used to make physical improvements, such as building repairs, and to provide participants with lodging and kits.

In addition, McClain said, Vanguard has also often donated gifts for CAP banquets and events, including region and wing conferences throughout the organization.