Vicki L MorrisonThe Bell True Patriot Love Fund announced its 2014 grant recipients November 6 at the annual True Patriot Love Tribute Dinner, Toronto. Amongst 16 different military family and veteran mental health initiatives $250,000 was distributed.
The grants are meant to provide serving men and women, veterans and their families across the country with much needed access to targeted mental health programs close to where they live.
“Bell Let’s Talk is very proud to support the mental health and well-being of Canadian Armed Forces members and their families through the Bell True Patriot Love Fund,” said Mary Deacon, chairperson of Bell Let’s Talk.
At the dinner, Bell Let’s Talk and the True Patriot Love Foundation presented a cheque for $25,000 to Paws Fur Thought, an organization funding the training of service dogs to assist veterans suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. Since 2013 Paws Fur Thought, working closely with Veterans Affairs Canada and the CAF, has trained and matched 30 service dogs to veterans across Canada.
“The powerful impact of service dogs for veterans battling PTSD will continue to expand thanks to the support of Bell Let’s Talk and True Patriot Love,” said Medric Cousineau, founder Paws For Thought.
Launched in 2013, the Bell True Patriot Love Fund will distribute $1 million in grants of $5,000-$25,000 over four years to help fund programs delivering mental health support to military families who need resources in their communities.
Several Military Family Resource Centres were among the 16 organizations to receive donations. The influx of dollars making a direct contribution to the quality of programming and services available to military families.
“The more we walk the talk about mental health, the more we learn, understand, and share. Bell Let’s Talk and True Patriot Love have opened our eyes, our minds, and our hearts. As a result, let’s keep talking, listening, and helping one another,” said Lieutenant-General David Millar, Chief of Military Personnel.
The Bell Let’s Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti- stigma campaigns like Clara’s Big Ride for Bell Let’s Talk and the annual Bell Let’s Talk Day, as well as significant Bell funding of community care and access, research, and workplace initiatives.
True Patriot Love Foundation is a national charity that honours the sacrifices of members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans and their families in both times of peace and conflict. TPL funds unique programs and innovative research in the areas of mental health, physical rehabilitation, family support and veteran transition. Since 2009, True Patriot Love has raised more than $18 million to support military charities across Canada.
To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
To see a complete list of the 2014 True Patriot Love Fund grant recipients please visit www.truepatriotlove.com.
