Events

Vancouver Tribute Dinner raises over $424,000 for military programs and organizations

Just under $425,000 were raised at the star-studded Vancouver Tribute Dinner on Oct. 14. The dinner was hosted by True Patriot Love (TPL) to raise funds for programs supporting Canadian Armed Forces personnel.

The evening was hosted by Global News anchor Robin Stickley. Guests were treated to performances by Canadian singer-songwriter and six-time Juno Award Winner Collin James. Foster Eastman, a local artist, and a group of Canadian veterans unveiled a unique piece of art inspired by the War in Afghanistan.

Notable speeches were made by Veterans Transition Network graduate Cpt. Dale Hamilton (ret’d), Rear Admiral Gilles TPL Co-Founder Michael Burns and Joe Segal, C.M., O.B.C., C.B.H.F., O.ST.J., LL.D.(HON), who donated $50,000 that was presented at the dinner.

True Patriot Love (TPL) co-founder Michael Burns spoke at the TPL Vancouver Tribute Dinner on Oct. 14, 2015
Co-founder Michael Burns spoke at the True Patriot Love Vancouver Tribute Dinner on Oct. 14, 2015

“In times of war or in times of peace, we are here. From Comox, BC, to Cold Lake, Alberta to Base Borden in Ontario and to Gagetown, New Brunswick, we will do more than just remember, we will act.  When military families need assistance coping with the unique challenges they face in their daily lives, we will act on their behalf.  When our men and women are injured in training and in combat, we will make sure they get what they need to move their lives forward.  When our men and women leave the Armed Forces, we will make sure they get the retraining and the jobs they need in order to support their families.  And, when our men and women are fighting in silence against Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, we will make sure they get the care and support they need to heal.

We have got to have their back.  Because they had ours.  Putting their lives on the line for us was something they did without hesitation, without question.  And supporting them is something we need to do without hesitation and without question,” said Burns, TPL Co-Founder in his speech at the dinner.

TPL hosted 480 guests. Some of the notable V.I.Ps included Marni Abbot Peter and Richard Peter Paralymic Gold Medalists; Bruno Guévremont Team Captain of the Canadian Invictus Soldier Team; Marcy Deacon Chair of Bell Let’s Talk, Julie Shaw CEO of Shaw Family Group and B.C. Premier Christy Clark.

The Vancouver Tribute Dinner is dedicated to raising funds to support military programs and organizations in Western Canada. Some of the organizations benefiting from last night’s dinner include the Esquimalt MFRC, Comox MFRC and Veterans Transition Network, the feature organization of the evening.

TPL hosts Tribute Dinners across the country each year to raise awareness and funds for CAF, veterans, and their families. This is the second Tribute Dinner held in Vancouver, the first was in 2011. On Nov. 4, 2015, True Patriot Love will host its annual Toronto Tribute Dinner at the Toronto Metro Convention Centre.

True Patriot love is a national fundraising organizing with a mission to raise awareness for the Canadian Armed Forces and their families. As an umbrella organization, True Patriot love directs funds in to other organizations including Military Family Resource Centers across Canada. The organization hosts symposia internationally and expeditions to raise awareness.

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Mishall Rehman

Originally from Atlanta, GA, Mishall is a freelance journalist pursuing her passion for writing in her new homeland Canada. She currently lives in Trenton, ON with her husband.

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