Creating a National Charity for Canadian Veterans

Growing up I didn’t know mothers’ father very well. Sadly, he suffered from shell shock, which is now commonly referred to as PTSD. Upon returning from the war, he resorted to alcohol to numb his suffering, which led to violent and abusive behavior towards his family. Consequently, his family distanced themselves from him, resulting in my minimal interaction with him.

At one point, he held the position of Vice President at an international oil and gas company, later becoming a security guard in the same building, and eventually becoming a bottle picker to support himself. As I matured, I felt a strong desire to meet him and learn about his life. While I did not condone the way he treated my grandmother, mother, and uncles, I was intrigued to understand who he was and how his life had unraveled.

Filling a Gap

When I went out to meet with him, he was living in a small room, on the brink of becoming homeless. I saw a broken man, someone that was too proud to ask for help which left him with little social interaction beyond the local pub. One morning I woke to find him eating dog food prompting me to inquire why he did not visit a food bank for support. His response, marked by pride, was, “Food banks are for women and children.”

Upon returning home from this visit, I was consumed by thoughts of the numerous Veterans across Canada who were enduring isolation and lacked the necessary support, or who were too proud to seek assistance. They are the forgotten warriors. Tragically, shortly after my visit, my grandfather passed away, which prompted me to take action and advocate for those who have defended our freedoms.

I reached out to George Bittman, the leader of the Calgary Poppy Fund. He was a remarkable individual, deeply committed to helping those who had served, having served himself. I asked George if they had any form of food bank, and he directed me to a small collection of food items in his office. This meeting inspired me to establish the Calgary Veterans Food Drive for the Calgary Poppy Fund.

Over the years, this annual event expanded, leading to the creation of the Calgary Poppy Fund’s Veterans Food Bank. The initiative proved to be so successful that the food bank grew to encompass two warehouses, providing support to between 80 and 140 Veterans and their families each month.

Connecting with Veterans

Through my involvement in the Veteran food drives, I had the opportunity to connect with numerous Veterans and gain insight into their challenges, particularly the limited support programs available to them. Consequently, I approached my brother and father, persuading them to join me in investing the necessary seed funding to establish a charity aimed at assisting Canadian Veterans.

Established in 2008, the Canadian Legacy Project is a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to facilitating the successful transition of Canadian Veterans into civilian life. We accomplish this by providing complimentary programs that focus on housing, employment, education, and PTSD. Additionally, as part of our charitable mission, the Canadian Legacy Project creates educational initiatives throughout Canada to inform youth about the extraordinary individuals who have served to protect our nation.

In 2024, Canadian Legacy Project continues to offer our core programs while again adding innovative new initiatives to support our female Veterans. Research has shown that female Veterans are twice as likely as their male counterparts to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – and this PTSD is more often linked to incidents within the Canadian Armed Forces, rather than operational missions. Unfortunately, there are few programs dedicated to our female Veterans and as such Canadian Legacy Project is filling this void.

Another key initiative is our Business Boot Camp which has been a resounding success across Canada. It is the only free program available to help Veterans start a new business. The 6-week course includes course readings, interactive discussions, the completion of a business model canvas, and one-on-one coaching with the instructors. By the end, students have a completed business plan and a network of supports across Canada. Annually, graduates can apply for the Canadian Legacy Project Boot Camp grants, which provides funding to support the growth of their businesses and encourages them to hire other Veterans.

Registered Charity

Canadian Legacy Project is a nationally registered charity that operates independently of government funding. It is sustained by the dedication of volunteers and the contributions of Canadians who are committed to supporting our Veterans. While we are not the sole Veterans charity in Canada, we do collaborate with numerous like-minded organizations. We believe in the strength of unity and advocate for cooperation, focusing on the shared mission to support Canadian Veterans.

As we near Remembrance Week, I urge you to reflect on how you can positively impact the lives of those who have served Canada. While many Veterans have successfully transitioned, there are still thousands who require assistance. The Canadian Legacy Project would certainly appreciate your financial contributions; however, monetary support is not the only means of aiding our Veterans.

You can volunteer your time, donate food or clothing to local Veteran groups, participate in various Veteran-led fundraising events, or simply express your gratitude to our current military personnel and Veterans for their service. We will remember.

About the author, David Howard lives in Calgary with his wife Jacquelin and daughter Molly. David is the CEO of The Event Group, founder of the Homes For Heroes Foundation, and Founder and Chair of the Canadian Legacy Project.