|
|
|
|
|
What a monumental month April was.
From April 1st to the 18th, I had the privilege of joining a group of 17 Canadian soldiers, Veterans and business leaders for the True Patriot Love Scotiabank Expedition: Himalayas 2018. Our entire team summitted Everest Base Camp which is quite an accomplishment, and some even went on to summit the nearby peak of Lobuche East!
The team was made up of some truly remarkable people, including Peter Hillary, son of Sir Edmund Hillary (the first to summit Mount Everest) and two-time Everest conqueror himself, who led our trip. 2018 marks the 65th anniversary of his father's historic summit and we were honoured that he marked the occasion with us. Our expedition guides, Ben Webster and Scott Kress, were also incredible, and our team doctor, Col. Markus Besemann, head of physical rehabilitation for the CAF, ensured we were all in optimal health.
The trek itself was challenging but beautiful with amazing views and inspirational moments along the way. We encountered welcoming and smiling faces everywhere. Children danced for us or asked us to play soccer or cricket. So many moments will stay with me for a lifetime.
The trek also gave me the opportunity to reflect on True Patriot Love’s mission. As we move further past Afghanistan, we are seeing soldiers who have exhausted all mental health support options and view our expeditions as one last effort. They're not ready to give up. As you can imagine, I drew strength and inspiration from their courage and tenacity. Hearing their stories of both trauma and triumph first-hand was a privilege I hold sacred and a humbling reminder of our purpose as an organization.
This expedition has raised more than $1 million for True Patriot Love so far. If you donated to the expedition, thank you. Your generous gift will help us continue to fund critical programs that change the lives of our country’s military families. If you haven't yet contributed, there is still time – simply visit tplexpedition.com.
With deep appreciation for your ongoing support,
|
CEO, True Patriot Love
|
|
We Did It! TPL Scotiabank Expedition Raises $1 Million
This April, ill and injured soldiers and Veterans teamed up with business and community leaders from across Canada for an extraordinary journey – the True Patriot Love Scotiabank Expedition: Himalayas. Not only was the adventure a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our military participants to continue their journey to recovery, and for civilian participants to cross the Himalayas off their travel bucket list and learn from our soldiers and Veterans, it raised over $1 million for the True Patriot Love Foundation (TPL)! Funds raised will be used to help address the unique challenges military families face as a result of their service to our country, including mental health, physical rehabilitation, transitioning to civilian life, and the special needs of children.
 Check out this video of some of our favourite moments:
The group has returned home with memories, stories and new connections that will last a lifetime.
Check out some of the coverage the expedition received in the press:
CTV National News
The Chronicle Herald
National Newswatch
Thank you to everyone who made this expedition a reality, including our participants for their courage and fundraising efforts, and our followers on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram who cheered the trekkers on with words of encouragement and support.
A special thank you to our sponsors:
|
|
Who Are the Trekkers?
Get to know a few of our brave expedition participants:
|
Anthony Alliot
Meet Anthony Alliot, a Master Corporal in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves who now works as a military recruitment consultant at Scotiabank, the presenting sponsor for this year’s expedition.
⠀
Anthony supports TPL because “there is a barrier between the military and civilian world. It’s important for Canadians to realize we need to break down those barriers to help Veterans transition.” Having gone through the transition from military life to civilian life himself, Anthony wanted to share his experiences to benefit others on the climb.
Read more about Anthony's story here.
|
Ellie and Ben Rusonik
Ellie and Ben Rusonik have a love for outdoor adventure as well as philanthropy. When they heard about our TPL expedition series, it was “a really easy decision to say yes.”
As proud Canadians, Ellie and Ben are proud of the people who serve our country, and want to give back to our nation’s Veterans and their families. “Meeting the soldiers and hearing about their stories strengthens the importance of True Patriot Love,” they told us.
|
|
What Our Himalayan Expedition Participants Have to Say
|
Eric Fleming
"The expedition grouped military members together who shared similar stories. Where once I would isolate myself, I found comfort in the fact that I could share my experiences with others in a forum where there was no judgment, only understanding. The environment we were in strengthened the bonds we formed with the civilian members of the team and I found that we had more similarities than differences. The realization of similarities between the civilian and military worlds reduced some anxiety caused by my eventual transition into a foreign civilian world.
Through the course of the expedition, I realized that I spent so much of my energy suppressing my thoughts, feelings, and emotions that I became numb to everything and everyone around me. For the first time in 12 years, I was focused and the energy I used to spend to not feel anything was used to feel everything I possibly could."
|
Chris Power
“As I walked away from the peak of Lobuche East, Markus, the team doctor, asked if I had left something on the mountain. You see, in a previous group discussion, Markus suggested that we consider “leaving” something on the mountain from our past, perhaps a bad experience, painful memories, or destructive habits. As I thought about the question, I realized that by the time I made it to the top, I didn't even think of the things I could leave behind. Instead, I reflected on everything I had gained, the relationships, the self-confidence, the sense of purpose but, most importantly, the value of focusing on the journey and not the destination.
It was amazing to reach the summit, but the truth is the value of this experience for me can be found in every step we took together as a team, every story we told, every person and animal we passed, and every moment we shared.” |
|
Inspired? Join Our Next Expedition!
Are you up for a challenge and an extraordinary adventure?
TPL is now accepting applications for our next expedition to Orizaba, Mexico from February 23rd to March 3rd, 2019. Be a part of the team that will summit the 19,491-ft. peak of Orizaba, the third highest mountain in North America!
Click here for more information and to apply.
|
Learn More About Our Upcoming Events
|
TPL Career Opportunities
|
Looking for an opportunity to help change the lives of Canadian military families? TPL is currently hiring for the following positions:
Grants and Communications Writer
Are you a seasoned, not-for-profit writer? We want to hear from you! For more information and to apply for the role of Grants and Communications Writer, click here.
COO
We are seeking a seasoned operations professional with experience in a fundraising/revenue generating organization to provide oversight and strategic counsel for the day-to-day operations of TPL. Click here for the full job description and to apply.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
