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From all of us at True Patriot Love Foundation, Happy New Year! I hope the holiday season was joyful and spent with loved ones.
We’re looking forward to a prosperous 2019 as we mark 10 years as an organization and of making a positive impact in our country’s military and Veteran communities. We’re particularly excited about our very first women’s expedition! After completing training camp, our team of female military members, Veterans and business leaders are gearing up for Baffin Island. With Bell Let’s Talk Day around the corner, we also want to highlight our valued partnership with Bell and some of the recipients of the 2018 Bell True Patriot Love Fund – organizations that are providing critical mental health support to military and Veteran families across Canada.
Our 10-year anniversary is also a fitting time for change. It is with mixed emotion that I have decided to step down as CEO and start a new life chapter. As a founding director of True Patriot Love, it has been a privilege to lead the organization as CEO for the past six years, and to work with a talented and dedicated team and board to change the lives of 25,000 military and Veteran families by funding 750 programs across the country. The support from our donors has also been truly inspirational – thank you for your generosity over the years in helping us fulfil our mandate. Without you, our work wouldn’t be possible.
As I bid farewell, I hope you join me in welcoming Nick Booth in February as the new CEO, a seasoned professional with strong credentials and a wealth of experience in the non-profit sector, as well as in mental health, military and Veteran issues. I know he will provide outstanding leadership as he takes True Patriot Love into the next decade and to the next level. You can learn more about Nick in the feature below.
Here’s to a healthy and prosperous 2019. Once again, thank you for your ongoing support.
Warm Regards,
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CEO, True Patriot Love Foundation
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Introducing Nick Booth
 After a global search of several months, we’re excited to announce that Nick Booth will be taking over as CEO of True Patriot Love this February.
Nick is the former founding CEO of The Royal Foundation, Prince William and Prince Harry’s primary philanthropic and charitable vehicle, where he was founding Chief Executive from 2010 to 2017. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing the philanthropic activities of Their Royal Highnesses, including initiating both the Invictus Games and the Heads Together mental health program. Nick has spent over 30 years in the charitable sector, working in senior roles in both the UK and USA, including the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Nick is also a senior advisor to Special Olympics International, a Director of the Manchester United Foundation, and advisor on the UK's new military rehabilitation centre. Nick was appointed to The Royal Victorian Order by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in the 2017 New Year Honours.
Nick is a valuable addition to the True Patriot Love team and brings great breadth of knowledge in supporting military and Veteran families.
Welcome, Nick!
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Bell True Patriot Love Fund Mental Health Programs Making a Difference
We had the privilege of presenting the Patriot Award to George Cope, President and CEO of BCE and Bell Canada, at our 10th Annual Tribute Gala last November in recognition of Bell Let’s Talk’s commitment to improving access to mental health services for members of our country’s military, Veterans and their families. The Bell True Patriot Love Fund, a $2 million, multi-year initiative that has distributed 89 grants since 2013 to organizations that deliver mental health programs in our military and Veteran communities, is just one example of this.
 As we approach Bell Let’s Talk Day on January 30th – an initiative that promotes mental well-being and awareness of mental health issues – we want to highlight some recipients of the 2018 Bell True Patriot Love Fund and how they will transform lives with the grants they received.
 Mood Disorders Society of Canada
This two-day series of evidence-based workshops delivered by a mental health worker will provide integral peer support for members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Veterans impacted by service. Upon completion of the workshop, Veterans in Calgary, Toronto and Montreal will earn a certificate in the national Peer and Trauma Support Systems (PATSS) program.
 Quebec Veterans Foundation
Therapeutic services will be delivered to Veteran residents and out-patients at Saint Anne’s Veterans Hospital in Quebec to support those living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and managing pain. These interventions that include music therapy, pet therapy and yoga/mindfulness sessions relieve stress, lower depression, increase self-acceptance and provide a sense of belonging.
Team Rubicon Canada
 Team Rubicon Canada will establish a sustainable mental health support program, as well as a community for Veteran and community volunteers trained in disaster response. This Veteran-led disaster response charity unites the unique skills and experiences of Veterans with first responders to rapidly deploy emergency response teams across Canada and the world, empowering their sense of purpose, community and identity as they navigate the often-difficult transition to civilian life. The Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) program will form part of the foundation for a self-sustained peer support network for volunteers.
Thank you to these organizations and all the recipients of the 2018 Bell True Patriot Love Fund for their dedication to making a positive difference in our country’s military and Veteran communities. To learn how all recipients are changing lives with their 2018 grants, click here.
A big thank-you as well to The Rossy Foundation, an organization that funds initiatives in mental health, health care, education and the arts, for augmenting the 2018 Bell True Patriot Love Fund with an additional $100,000.
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True Patriot Love Women's Expedition: Baffin Island
Presented by Mackenzie Investments
After completing Training Camp in Gravenhurst, ON in November, our group of intrepid female members of the CAF, Veterans and business leaders are continuing to build their strength and stamina to take on our very first women’s expedition to Baffin Island. From April 1-14, 2019, they will snowshoe across the Arctic Circle and travel through the Akshayuk Pass, including the rarely visited northern section in the Owl River Valley.
You can make a donation to one of the expedition participants as they prepare for this once-in-a-lifetime challenge, or to True Patriot Love directly. All proceeds will help us provide critical services to Canada’s military and Veteran families in need. Give today and help us reach our goal of $1 million!
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