Winnipeg's business, political and community leaders came out in full force on the evening of June 1st to support Canada's military families, raising more than $1,000,000 for the True Patriot Love Foundation (TPL). The money raised from the inaugural True Patriot Love Winnipeg Tribute Dinner will benefit programs in Manitoba that address TPL's four main areas of focus: mental health and well-being, physical health and rehabilitation, family health and support, and research and innovation.
"The True Patriot Love Foundation is truly grateful for the hospitality that Winnipeg has shown us in preparation for our inaugural Winnipeg Tribute Dinner," said Shaun Francis, Chair and Co-founder of True Patriot Love. "As a national organization, we recognize that military families will often need support in a variety of environments both urban and rural, in both official languages, and for the complete family unit. In response, we serve to address these challenges by providing funding which supports both the national need and the regional demand."
The True Patriot Love Winnipeg Tribute Dinner took place at the RBC Convention Centre in downtownWinnipeg, where more than 800 guests from various business, political, military and philanthropic communities came together to support Canada's troops. Distinguished guests included Her Honour the Honourable Janice Filmon, Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba and Lieutenant-General Michael Hood, Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The evening was hosted by General (Ret'd) Rick Hillier, former Chief of Defence Staff, and featured a special musical performance by Juno Award Winner, andWinnipeg-native, Chantal Kreviazuk.
"Winnipeg has a proud military history and we're incredibly grateful that Manitoba's corporate community came out in support of our military veterans and their families," said Jason Stefanson, Tribute Dinner Committee Co-chair and Vice-Chairman, CIBC World Markets Inc. "We understand that at over $1 millionraised, this is the largest philanthropic dinner in Winnipeg's history; the proceeds are sorely needed to support our wounded heroes. In addition to raising money, the TPL Foundation dinner has raised awareness in our province, and has resulted in a deeper connection between our senior military and corporate leaders."
True Patriot Love has supported many critical programs in Manitoba since its inception in 2009. These include, but are not limited to, $100,000 in funding to support 16 Manitoba-based veterans to take part in a university-based business program; $75,000 in funding to support the research of Dr. Sarah Dentry-Travis, veteran and Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Faculty of Health at the University of Manitoba, who is examining the relationship between stress, epigenetics and military service; $40,000 to support 15Manitoba-based veterans to participate in a specialized program that helps address operational stress injuries and transition challenges to civilian life; and a combined $115,000 in funding to the Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs) located in Winnipeg and Shilo.
True Patriot Love thanks all sponsors and partners for supporting the inaugural Winnipeg Tribute Dinner, allowing proceeds and funds raised from the evening to benefit a variety of military organizations inManitoba, specifically Presenting Sponsor, Exchange Income Corporation, VIP Sponsor, Parrish and Heimbecker Limited and Platinum Sponsor, Great-West Life.
True Patriot Love hosts multiple Tribute Dinners across the country each year, with the goal of increasing support for the Canadian Armed Forces, veterans and their families from coast-to-coast. On November 9th 2016, the 8th Annual True Patriot Love Tribute Dinner will return to Toronto.
