- $1 million Bell True Patriot Love
Fund extended through 2020 to fund programs for Canadian Armed
Forces members, veterans and their families
- More than 60 programs funded to date in military communities
across Canada
- Bell has hired 100 veterans since the start of 2014; Bell Media
sponsoring 2017 Invictus Games Toronto
MONTRÉAL, Nov. 10, 2016 /CNW
Telbec/ - Bell and the True Patriot Love Foundation have
announced a 4-year extension of their joint Bell True Patriot
Love Fund, a renewed $1 million
partnership that will continue to support community mental health
programs serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, veterans and
their families through 2020.
"Bell Let's Talk is very pleased to partner with True Patriot
Love to continue our support for the mental health of those
who serve our country in Canada's military and the families that
support them," said George Cope,
President and CEO of BCE and Bell
Canada. "Military families face unique challenges when it
comes to accessing mental health services, and we are proud of the
role the Bell True Patriot Love Fund has played and will continue
to play in providing specialized programs to them."
Since 2013, the Bell True Patriot Love Fund has distributed
$1 million in grants to 61 mental
health programs delivered through Military Family Resource Centres
and other groups in communities around Canada. Extending the
partnership for a further 4 years and another $1 million ensures continued investment in
programs that are making a real difference in the lives of military
members, veterans and their families. Bell also remains the
Presenting Sponsor of the annual True Patriot Love Toronto Tribute
Dinner, the largest fundraising event in support of Canada's
military, through 2020.
"True Patriot Love thanks Bell Let's Talk for its leading role
in supporting mental health care for the Canadian Armed Forces
community," said Bronwen Evans, CEO of the True Patriot Love
Foundation. "Together we remain committed to seeing positive
change for those Canadians who dedicate so much of their lives to
their country."
This year, the Bell True Patriot Love Fund is distributing
grants to 13 more organizations delivering specialized services
ranging from animal and music therapy programs to family and
couples counseling and trauma support.
"Bell True Patriot Love Fund recipients are all making a real
difference in the lives of Canadian military members and their
families and we congratulate them on their commitment and passion,"
said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell
Let's Talk. "We look forward to supporting many more such community
groups as they provide mental health programs for military families
in every region of Canada."
Bell hires 100th veteran
In November 2013, Bell became the first
communications company to join the Military Employment Transition
(MET) program, which supports employment opportunities for Canadian
military veterans. Now 3 years into the program, Bell has hired its
100th veteran out of the approximately 1,800 placed
through the MET program.
Invictus Games Toronto 2017
Announced earlier this
year, Bell Media will be the exclusive Canadian broadcast partner
of the Invictus Games Toronto 2017. An international
sporting event for wounded active duty and veteran service members
from around the world, the Invictus Games were established in 2014
by Prince Harry, who remains Patron
of the Games. Taking place in September
2017, Invictus Games Toronto 2017 will be broadcast
nationally on TSN.
Remembering our fellow Bell employees
During the First
World War, Bell technicians, linesmen, clerks and managers joined
the war effort, many using their civilian skills to maintain
essential lines of communications as part of the nascent Canadian
Signals Corps. A total of 833 Bell employees enlisted in the armed
forces during the war; 89 lost their lives. When Canada went to war
again in 1939, 2,543 Bell employees enlisted in the armed forces or
were seconded to the government for technical work; 95 Bell
employees gave their lives during World War II.
About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications
company, providing consumers and business customers with wireless,
TV, Internet, home phone, small business and enterprise
communications services. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia
company with leading assets in television, radio, digital and out
of home media. Bell is wholly owned by Montréal's BCE Inc. (TSX,
NYSE: BCE). For more information, please visit Bell.ca.
The Bell Let's Talk initiative promotes Canadian mental health
with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns like Bell Let's
Talk Day and significant Bell funding of community care and access,
research, and workplace initiatives. To learn more, please
visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
About True Patriot Love
True Patriot Love honours the
sacrifices of members of the Canadian Forces, veterans and their
families by:
- Stepping in where government is unable to fund programs that
support their physical, mental and social wellbeing no matter where
they are posted in Canada or
abroad
- Promoting their special skills and capabilities resulting from
their unique conditions of service
- Being a channel for everyday Canadians, corporations and
philanthropists to express their appreciation and patriotism
Over the past three years, True Patriot Love was honoured to
have raised over $14 million to fund
a variety of military programs, charities and causes, when and
where it is needed most. Our three key areas of support are Family
Health and Support, Physical Health and Rehabilitation, and Mental
Health and Well-Being.
Please visit www.truepatriotlove.com for more information.
2016 Bell True Patriot Love Fund Grant Recipients
Equi-Sens (Terrebone, QC)
Equine therapy for military
personnel and veterans living with PTSD.
Guitars for Vets (Halifax,
NS)
Peer support through guitar lessons and music
therapy for veterans with PTSD.
Legacy Place Society (Alberta)
Short term housing for
military personnel receiving mental health assistance and support
during crisis situations in Calgary, Edmonton and Red
Deer.
Mood Disorders Society of Canada (Perth, ON)
Women's trauma support
program for military personnel living with PTSD.
Murphy's Legacy Society (Sooke,
BC)
Bilingual group support therapy delivered through
the COPE Program (Couples Overcoming PTSD Everyday).
National Service Dogs (Cambridge,
ON)
Certified Service Dogs for military personnel and
veterans living with PTSD.
PEI Military Family Resource Centre
A web-based peer
support program for caregivers in military families across the
province.
Prince's Operation Entrepreneur (Toronto, ON)
Entrepreneurial education,
tools and resources to help transitioning veterans, released due to
medical conditions such as PTSD, to find a new civilian
mission.
St. John's Military Family Resource Centre (Newfoundland and Labrador)
A pilot equine treatment
program to improve mental health resilience and enhance coping and
communication skills for military families.
Strongest Families Institute (Halifax, NS)
Coaching for military
families with children living with anxiety and behavioral
concerns.
Trenton Military Family Resource Centre (Trenton, ON)
In partnership with the
Canadian Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, workshops
focused on developing resiliency within military families.
University of Manitoba
(Winnipeg, MB)
Classroom
delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with Mindfulness Course in
Mental Resilience to provide training for mental health
professionals and peer support staff to improve services for the
military community in Manitoba.
Veterans Transition Network (Vancouver, BC)
Expansion of a
clinically driven, peer support program to assist veterans living
with mental illness in Québec and Manitoba.
Media inquiries:
Jacqueline Michelis
Bell Media Relations
613 785-1427
jacqueline.michelis@bell.ca
@Bell_News
Bronwen Evans
CEO, True Patriot Love Foundation
416 628 1053
bevans@truepatriotlove.com
SOURCE Bell Canada