The Yellowknife Community Foundation (YKCF) and ACASTA HeliFlight Inc. announce the establishment of the Travis Booker Memorial Fund.
The purpose of the newly established Student Award Fund will be to support Northwest Territories residents pursuing studies in aviation.
Travis was born on February 20, 1995, in Kelowna, BC and was raised there until he graduated high school in 2013. His fondness for the aviation world started just hours into his life when he was airlifted by helicopter from Kelowna to Vancouver where he underwent Closed Heart surgery and later Open-Heart surgery. He was an avid soccer and basketball player during his childhood and continued playing basketball into his adult life, playing in the men’s league in Yellowknife.
Travis completed his AME course with Northern Lights College in 2017 and landed his first apprenticeship with Summit Helicopters in Kamloops later the same year. Shortly after, he moved to Yellowknife with Summit Air and realized quite quickly that he missed the rotary side upon which time he applied to ACASTA HeliFlight for an AME apprentice position.
Travis joined the ACASTA family in 2018 and about a year later – with his hard work ethic, drive, and determination – he was their first apprentice to become a licensed engineer under the ACASTA name. He thrived in his role and loved every single tour, whether it was throughout the Arctic or other regions of Canada. The North became Travis’ home.
Quote by Laurie Gault, Chair of the Yellowknife Community Foundation – “It is with much gratitude to Travis’ family and ACASTA HeliFlight Inc. that the Yellowknife Community Foundation can be a part of Travis’ legacy. This Student Award will assist others to fulfill their dreams of a career in aviation, inspired by the determination and joy that Travis lived in his.”
Quote by Adam Bembridge, President of ACASTA HeliFlight Inc. – “Travis was a true gentleman and generous with his time and friendship. ACASTA and its staff hope that this Fund provides true support for northerners in and pursuing aviation for years to come. We wish to honour the legacy of Travis who loved his career in Aviation and his home in the North.”
Quote by the Booker Family – “If there was one thing Travis taught us all, it was how to be kind – it was in his nature right from the time he was born. Starting the Travis Booker Memorial Fund honors Travis in his ways of spreading generosity and kindness. He loved his career and embraced each tour he was sent out on calling the North his home for the last 6 years. It is an honour to spread his kindness in helping others to choose a career in Aviation.”
Donations to the Fund can be made through the Yellowknife Community Foundation’s online donation portal.
The Yellowknife Community Foundation was formed in 1993 as a charitable organization that inspires and enables impactful giving in Yellowknife and the NWT. We strive to align donor interests and community needs through evidence-based grant-making, fundraising, strategic investment, public education and community relations. We aim to be a catalyst for sharing, supportive and connected communities.
For more information contact:
Yellowknife Community Foundation: Sophie Kirby / Phone: (867) 446 4527
Email: information@ykcf.ca
