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8th Annual Toronto Tribute Dinner raises $1.6 Million for Veterans and Military Families
Last night in Toronto, True Patriot Love hosted our 8th Annual Toronto Tribute Dinner. With approximately 1,100 guests in attendance, TPL raised $1.6 million for Veterans and military families.
Additionally, Bell and TPL announced a 4-year extension of the Bell True Patriot Love Fund, a renewed $1 million partnership to support community mental health programs serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans and their families.
“Bell True Patriot Love Fund recipients are all making a real difference in the lives of Canadian military members and their families and we congratulate them on their commitment and passion,” said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let’s Talk. “We look forward to supporting many more such community groups as they provide mental health programs for military families in every region of Canada.”
Following the dinner, Scotiabank and TPL announced a $750,000 commitment to support the important work of the Foundation, in advance of Remembrance Day. Scotiabank’s commitment will provide True Patriot Love with: $250,000 for military children with special needs and camps and $500,000 to sponsor the True Patriot Love Scotiabank Expedition series: Best of Canada in 2017. Scotiabank’s commitment will help cover costs supporting the soldier participants, as well as the expedition mentorship program.
“Scotiabank has seen firsthand how True Patriot Love makes an important and needed difference in the lives of veterans and military families,” said Phil Smith, SVP & COO, Global Banking and Markets, Scotiabank. “We are proud to be directing our support to military children with special needs and as sponsor of the 2017 Expedition Series in Canada.”
Scotiabank was also honoured for their outstanding contributions, with Former Group Head and CEO, Global Banking and Markets, Mike Durland recognized with the Patriot Award.
“True Patriot Love is grateful for the leading role Scotiabank has played in supporting the Expedition Series for 2017,” said Bronwen Evans, CEO of TPL. “The expeditions provide an opportunity for participating soldier team members to face personal roadblocks on their journey of transition into civilian life. We are thrilled that Scotiabank has stepped up in such a big way.” |
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Congratulations to the 2016 Bell TPL Fund Grant Recipients
Launched in 2013, the Bell True Patriot Love Fund is a $1-million program providing grants from $5,000 up to $25,000 to community mental health initiatives for Canadian military families, Veterans and serving members. Here are the 2016 grant recipients.
Equi-Sens
Based in Terrebonne, Québec, Equi-sens offers equine therapy for military personnel and Veterans living with PTSD and their families.
Guitars for Vets
Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, this program offers peer support through guitar lessons and music therapy for Veterans with PTSD across Canada.
Legacy Place Society
Legacy Place Houses offer short term, confidential housing for military personnel receiving mental health assistance and support during crisis situations. Houses are located in Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.
Mood Disorders Society of Canada
Women’s trauma support program in Perth, Ontario for military personnel living with PTSD.
Murphy’s Legacy Society
Bilingual group support therapy delivered through the COPE Program – “Couples Overcoming PTSD Everyday”.
National Service Dogs
Certified Service Dogs for military personnel and Veterans living with PTSD based in Cambridge, Ontario.
PEI MFRC
A web-based peer support program for caregivers in military families across the province.
Prince’s Operation Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurial education, tools and resources for transitioning Veterans across the country who are interested in starting their own businesses. Funding will assist the 74% of boot camp participants who are released due to medical conditions such as PTSD, to find a new civilian mission and their own success.
St. John’s MFRC, Newfoundland
A pilot equine treatment program to improve mental health resilience and enhance coping and communication skills for military families.
Strongest Families Institute
Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, this program provides evidence-based distance coaching to military families with children living with anxiety and behavioral concerns. This funding will support Canadian Rangers families in Northern Ontario, the majority of whom are Indigenous.
Trenton MFRC , Ontario
In partnership with the Canadian Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Trenton MFRC will deliver workshops focused on developing resiliency within military families.
University of Manitoba
Classroom delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Mindfulness Course in Mental Resilience, will provide training for mental health professionals and peer support staff to improve services for the military community in Manitoba.
Veterans Transition Network
Clinically driven, peer support program to assist Veterans living with mental illness. This grant will allow VTN to expand the program in Quebéc and Manitoba.
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TPL's Remembrance Week Schools Program
True Patriot Love Foundation has developed a School’s Program to engage students in the Toronto area to fundraise and generate awareness for TPL. During the Remembrance Day week, schools have an opportunity to empower and inspire our youth to make a difference. This program will engage, educate and inform students about the unique challenges of military families, and give them the tools to raise awareness and give back to their community in a meaningful and impactful way.
The program encourages students to brainstorm creative ways to fundraise for the cause, leading up to a tribute event on, or around, Remembrance Day, of which most schools already have built into their calendar for the year. For the third year in a row, True Patriot Love has partnered with St. Michael’s College School to engage its students surrounding Remembrance Day; in 2015, students raised an impressive $4,500 for TPL through various fundraising methods. On November 10th, 2016, the students will participate in a "Dress Down for Heroes Day" to once again fundraise for our military families.
During the week leading up to Remembrance Day, Corporal Glen Villa takes time to visit 3-4 schools ranging from grade 5 to grade 12 to educate students about the importance of remembrance. "I speak to schools to educate the children about the importance of paying homage to those who have served and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. It's important for our youth to understand our history, not only through text books but through words of those who were there. I feel it is imperative to reach out to our youth, as they are the future of our nation. Especially now, that we have an abundance of young Veterans who can better connect with them in terms of age".
To learn more, please contact Diana Bilyk, Development Coordinator, dbilyk@truepatriotlove.com.
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True Patriot Love and Starbucks Canada Launch "Coffee with a Vet" Initiative
True Patriot Love Foundation is excited to announce its new partnership with Starbucks Canada for our "Coffee with a Vet" initiative. In collaboration with our long time partner Treble Victor Group, we will provide mentorship programs, coordinate organizations and services that support Veterans in their reintegration process, and provide Veterans with the contacts and skills necessary to successfully secure employment outside the military.
The collaboration will provide space for networking and mentoring, Veteran family support, and driving awareness for the need for more support in reintegrating our military Veterans.
Please help support Veterans’ reintegration to civilian life. Visit truepatriotlove.com for more info.
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