Together We Stand Foundation supports military families of deployed members this holiday season 

Beginning their new 2019 initiative, the Together We Stand (TWS) foundation plans to support the families of deployed military members over the holiday period. After a successful initiative last holiday season, TWS is preparing to help those struggling with separation from loved ones in the military once again.

The TWS Foundation is a charity organization established in order to honour the sacrifices of deployed military members and their families. 

The initiative proposes to provide families with loved ones deployed overseas throughout the holiday period with gifts of gratitude. The gift boxes include coupons and gift cards from brands and businesses supporting Canadian troops.

President and Co-Founder of the TWS Foundation, Rick Ekstein, has said “The families of our Canadian Armed Forces members are tremendously important, but are the often forgotten glue that keeps everything together back home when our brave men and women in uniform are doing their jobs to keep Canadians safe here and around the world.” 

Any members deployed between December 1st, 2019 and January 30th, 2019, outside of North America and in operational theatre, are eligible to complete and submit the gift box form. The gifts are valued at approximately $300.

CAF members have expressed thanks for this initiative in previous years. 

One member posted to Latvia last year explained, “My wife showed me the package she received from your foundation. I was astonished at what was in the package. I have been serving for 32 years and several deployments, and this was the best package I had ever seen. This was the first time I had seen such a smartly put together package with so much that supports a family of any age group. I wanted to thank you for creating this package as it was of great use while I was away.” 

Another CAF member, posted to Africa over the holidays last year, wrote, “You do not know me, but I would like to thank you for the touching gift and gesture. I am currently serving in Africa on my fifth deployment. This is the first time we have seen such an outpouring of well wishes. It has touched my wife deeply, and she truly appreciated it. Again thank you!” 

Eligible families can apply for the 2019 initiative here.