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Supporting Our Troops at the Canadian National Exhibition
By Brenna Morell, Media Relations Coordinator, CFPSA, Ottawa, 613-996-6204, morel.brenna@cfpsa.com
The CFPSA/NPF officially launched our “Support Our Troops” (SOT) campaign at a Canadian Forces display at the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) in Toronto this summer. This CF display, coordinated by Joint Task Force (Central) (JTFC)/ Land Force Central Area (LFCA) Headquarters (based out of Toronto, Ontario), was one of six CDS-sanctioned CF outreach and recruiting initiatives for 2006, coined “Op CONNECTION.”
The SOT campaign, which includes the creation of a new page on the CFPSA website: www.cfpsa.com/supportourtroops, offers many ways to support those who serve, such as buying official SOT merchandise, writing to the troops online, donating to Military Family Resource Centres, corporate donations to Operation Santa Claus or sponsoring specific morale and welfare activities.
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| Saturday, August 19: The Honourable James Flaherty, Minister of Finance, Brigadier-General Guy Thibault, JTFC Commander, and artists Julian Austin, Diane Chase, and Richard Wood – who were part of the Task Force Afghanistan Show Tour in May – took part in the ceremonial launch of the SOT campaign in conjunction with the 85th annual Warrior’s Day Parade, which included performances by the artists. |
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CNE:
- With an estimated 641,025 visitors to the CF site, between August 18 and September 4, the CNE proved to be an ideal venue for CFPSA/NPF staff to promote the SOT campaign.
- CANEX sold more than $75,000 worth of SOT merchandise at the CNE in just over two weeks! All proceeds from the sales of these officially-sanctioned SOT items are reinvested directly into morale and welfare programs for CF members and their families.
- Over 170 SOT banners were filled with words of encouragement and gratitude that will be sent to CF deployed operations and bases across the country. A great idea by the event OPI Captain Wayne Johnston, Recruiting Liaison Officer, LFCA: CFPSA designed SOT banners specifically for this event. The banners served as a great strategy to attract both media and the public onto the CF site.
- Approximately 120,000 SOT flyers were distributed at the CNE. Awareness of the CFPSA SOT campaign continues to grow. From augmented media attention, to a significant increase in sponsorship and donation queries, to a major swell in sales of SOT merchandise, the results of our SOT campaign are being felt across all CFPSA divisions.
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| CFPSA’s 300 square-foot display where CANEX staff from CFBs Borden, Kingston, and Petawawa, 22W North Bay and Garrison St-Jean managed the SOT merchandise retail operation with the support of CF Personnel Awaiting Training from CFB Borden, and CFPSA personnel from DComm, HR, and PSP who informed the public about CFPSA and SOT campaign |
A FEW HEART-WARMING MESSAGES WRITTEN TO CF ON SOT BANNERS:
“Enjoying The Ex with our children – the children that you are keeping safe.”
“You’re doing what we can’t or won’t do. You are heroes.”
“Stay safe, stay strong.”
“May the angels always be on your wing.”
“May the force be with you.”
“Thank you for being so selfless.”
“Thank you for doing what many take for granted: protecting our freedom and the Canadian way of life.”
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| SOT banner being signed by CNE visitors |
