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Community Enthusiasm
The MFF team would like to say "thank you" to all event organizers for their outstanding support.
December 2009 – Our Lady of the Angels School - In December, just before Christmas, the students of Our Lady of The Angels School in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta had a "Buy Nothing New Day" sale. They made store fronts, and invited the public to come and shop Whryte Avenue for the Christmas season. They had a bakery, candy store, sport store, toy store, clothing store, 2 book stores, an electronics store, and art store, a stuffed animal store, a games store, and a coffee shop. All the stores had names and the funds went to the Military Families Fund.
Canadian Forces Housing Agency - On 21 Jan 2010, the Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) presented a cheque to the Military Families Fund for $1,000.00. CFHA used their annual holiday luncheon as an opportunity to give back to the community by electing to donate all proceeds from their function to the MFF.
Operation Canada Cares - This organization collects donations from the public in the form of money or items that can be shipped on a military aircraft. For the past 4 years, Operation Canada Cares has sent goody bags to Afghanistan & Bosnia for Easter, Canada Day, Christmas, just to mention a few. This year, the organization also provided a donation to the Military Families Fund in the amount of $745.00
The True Patriot Love Foundation - On the eve of Remembrance Day 2009, the True Patriot Love Foundation held its inaugural dinner in Toronto. Over 1,700 people attended, including military families (including Captain Trevor Green, and Master Corporal Jody Mitic), The Right Honourable Prime Minister Harper, The Honourable David C. Onley, Premier McGuinty, Right Honourable Paul Martin, M.P. Michael Ignatieff, M.P. Jack Layton, Elizabeth May, Chief William Blair, Chief Sharon Stinson Henry, Don Cherry and Sam Reid.
The event raised $750,000 in support of the Military Families Fund. For more information on this event, please visit http://truepatriotlovefoundation.com/sponsorship/
December 7, 2009 - Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association (AFCEA) organized a Christmas PD Luncheon featuring the Honorable Senator Romeo Dallaire. Proceeds from the event were provided to the Romeo Dallaire Foundation and the Military Families Fund. The Military Families Fund received $1500.00.
CBC Employee Initiative - The CBC planned a cross country initiative on November 11th. $4,663.00 was raised and donated to the MFF.
Parliamentary Spouses Association – 30 Nov 2009 - The Association held a holiday-time Concert on the Hill with musical performances by Senators, MPs, staff, and pages. Proceeds from the event were donated to Soldier ON Fund ($14,340) and Military Families Fund ($4,505).
SOT Ride 2009 - Gordie MacLean, owner of the Steel Horse Bar and Grill in New Norway, Alberta, and his wife Linda organized their second annual Ride. $14,499.22 was raised and donated to the MFF.
La Maison D'Or - La Maison D’Or held a “Homecoming Event” at the end of Nov 09 to celebrate 30 years of business and to raise funds for the Military Families Fund. A donation in the amount of $5,000.00 was presented to the Fund.
November 21, 2009 - Debbie Fraser, left, Sobeys representative, and John Rogers, Chief Executive Officer of Stewart McKelvey each contributed $25,000 to the Military Families Fund. The Hon. Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, Leslie Natynczyk, Honorary Patron, Military Families Fund and General Walter Natynczyk, Canada's Chief of Defence Staff, accept the generous donation of $50,000 on behalf of military families. For more information, please visit www.smss.com.
Iqaluit Airport - On 22 August 2009, the Iqaluit airport hosted its first annual international air show showcasing military and civilian aircraft including those of First Air. The personnel of First Air raised $1,363.10 for the Military Families Fund through the sale of First Air t-shirts at the airshow.
Candle of Courage: Susan Barwell has been donating 50% of the proceeds from the sale of her candles to the Military Families Fund. The Candle of Courage represents the men and women who serve in the Canadian Forces, and their families who support them. To date, Susan has raised $798 for the fund. For more information on this initiative, please visit www.webspawner.com/users/shadybendstudios/candleofcourage.html
Glass Treasures – Bonnie Saunders from Glass Treasures produces Canadian Forces Badge Plates with a portion of the sales of the plates being donated to the Military Families Fund. To date, the MFF has received $632.00. For more information on the plates, visit www.forces-memorabilia.com.
Smile Cookie Campaign – In October 2008, the MFF received $6,105.22 from the proceeds of the Tim Horton’s Smile Cookie Campaign in Yellowknife.
Lord Elgin Hotel – In November 2008, the Lord Elgin Hotel provided 10 complimentary rooms for military families wishing to attend the Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa. In addition, they collected donations of $150.00 for the fund.
Revera – In November 2008, Revera held a fundraising event during their International Conference to raise funds for the Military Families Fund. The Kingsway retirement home held a cooking competition and collected donations at their resident Christmas Party. In total, $12,535.08 was donated to the MFF.
Operation Canada Cares - Julie Gillhoolley, founder of Operation Canada Cares, wanted to let our troops know that we are thinking of them and that they are important to us and we are very proud of them. This organization collects donations from the public in the form of money or items that can be shipped on a military aircraft. For the past 3 years, Operation Canada Cares has sent goody bags to Afghanistan & Bosnia for Easter, Canada Day, Christmas, just to mention a few. This year, Julie packaged up 72 boxes of goody bags which were sent to Afghanistan and Bosnia. $500.00 was also donated to the Military Families Fund.
Local 46 Toronto - In November 2008, Local 46 Toronto, of the United Association of Journeymen & Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of Canada and the U.S. donated $10K to the MFF. Presenting to Maj Gilles Legacy, CO ASU Toronto is Mr. James Hogarth, Business Manager (left) and Mr Bob Akerfeldt, President (right). Local 46 Toronto is the first trade union to initate the Helmets to Hardhats program here in Canada.
Challenge Match – On September 28th, 2008, a team from the Smith Falls Fish and Game Club in Smith Falls held a challenge shooting match with representatives of local police forces. The event raised $860.00 for the Military Families Fund.
Medicine Hat Tigers Hockey Club – The Medicine Hat Tigers Hockey Club held a hockey game between the Tigers and members of the military community at CFB Suffield and conducted a raffle of Tigers memorabilia. Proceeds from the events were split between Help for Heroes and the Military Families Fund. In total, the MFF received $6,172.00.
OGHA Chefs Charity Café – In March 2008, chefs from some of Ottawa’s finest hotels and kitchens, paired with exquisite wineries and meticulous brew masters to create dinner that was out of this world. Proceeds of $24,367 were donated to the MFF. Another event is being planned for 2009.
A Class Act – Scott Templeton organized a Class Act Dinner Theatre in Whitby, Ontario on 14 September 2008. Proceeds of $10,000 were donated to the MFF.
Making a difference – Geraldine Dixon is donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of her own premium designed double sided car flags. To date $1000 has been donated to the MFF. For more information visit www.supporttroopsflags.com.
Loraine's Dream - Loraine’s Dream, a non-profit organization, raised $650 for the MFF at a 50’s and 60’s Rock ‘n Roll Show and Dance organized by Jimmie Knox.
Soldiers' Appreciation Golf Tournament - The June 13 Soldiers’ Appreciation Golf Tournament held at the New Twin Rivers raised $5,000 for the Military Families Fund. Approximately 70 soldiers and about 40 individual sponsors took part in the first annual event, organized to allow people to meet and thank the troops at CFB Petawawa. Presenting the cheque to CFB/ASU Petawawa Commander LCol Bill Moore (left) and Base Chief Warrant Officer CWO Kevin O’Rourke (right) is Maj Marty Lipcsey, Base Club Golf Committee President and Club Captain, who organized the tournament. (Photo by Lisa Brazeau, Petawawa Post)
FOB Doc - Captain Ray Wiss is an Emergency Medicine specialist from Sudbury, Ontario and a member of the Reserves. From November 07 to February 08, he served with Task Force Afghanistan. Very unusually for a physician, he spent virtually his entire tour in the combat area, at Forward Operating Bases (FOB). While he was in Afghanistan he wrote a diary, mostly to explain to his friends in Canada what he was doing. This diary was so well received that it has been printed as a book, entitled "FOB Doc". Captain Wiss is giving this book away in return for donations to the Military Families Fund. Over $10,000 have been raised so far.
Annual Ride - Gordie MacLean, owner of the Steel Horse Bar and Grill in New Norway, Alberta organized an annual Ride to Support & Silent Auction. $11,678 was raised and donated to the MFF.
Golf Tournament - CMP/ADM(HR Civ) held two golf tournaments, one in June at the Manderley Golf Club and one in September at the Hylands Golf Club. Proceeds of $525 and $512 were donated to the MFF.
Proudly Bald - In June 2008, Mrs. Wright and Mrs Anderson, two teachers from Our Lady of Angels School in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, organized and sacrificed their hair to raise money for the Military Families Fund. In total, over $7,000.00 was raised by the students and community for this worthy cause.
Canadian Forces Open House - In December 2007, CFS Leitrim Detachment and Director General Military SIGINT, Commodore Siew and staff, held a fundraising event in conjunction with a Canadian Forces Open House for civilian employees at the workplace of the Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSEC). CSEC personnel generously donated proceeds in the amount of $ 765.15 to the Military Families Fund in support of this event.
From left to right is MWO Mendonca, BGen Martin, MS Collette.