Vancouver Military Dinner raises funds for military families and vulnerable veterans

Since 2013, the Vancouver Military Dinner has raised over $45,000 for charitable organizations and recently announced its total raised during the 2019 dinner.

“I’m still a bit shocked every time I say this, but the 2019 Vancouver Military Dinner raised over $35,000 for charity. While Honour House was our featured charity and received the bulk of our fundraising, we also supported Whole Way House, another Vancouver organization that supports vulnerable veterans.” Jeff Lura, communications director, Vancouver Military Dinner

The dinner was created by Mark Adams, a retired Royal Canadian Air Force Captain, and his colleague Scott Martin.

“The goal is to raise public awareness of the CAF and CAF members,” says Jeff Lura. “I like to think we do a fairly good job of this, and the comments we receive after each event indicate that guests leave the dinner knowing a lot more about the CAF than they did when they arrived.”

This year’s dinner took place this past April at the Vancouver Club. The dinners allow military and civilian community members to gather and raise funds for various organizations that help military members and Veterans.

This year’s featured charity was Honour House, a society that provides accommodations, free of charge, too ill or injured military members, veterans, or first responders and their families who are staying in Greater Vancouver while receiving medical care.

Last month the four Greater Vancouver residents were honoured with official commendations from the Minister of Veterans Affairs Lawrence MacAulay.

Adams, Martin, and fellow dinner organizer Warren Kerek were recognized for their contributions to the wellbeing of local Veterans, primarily through their involvement with the Vancouver Military Dinner.

The committee is already planning the 2020 dinner that will support Team Canada at the Invictus Games and will be moving the event into a larger room to accommodate a larger crowd.

 For more information about the Vancouver Military Dinner, visit their website.