- Bell True Patriot Love Fund 2017 recipients announced
- Canadian veterans and reservists finding career opportunities
with the Bell team
- Poppy, Bell's iconic Remembrance
Day television spot airs through November 11
MONTRÉAL, Nov. 9, 2017 /CNW
Telbec/ - Bell is proud to join with Canadians everywhere as we
honour our veterans and prepare to observe Remembrance Day.
"On November 11, Bell will
remember all who have served our country in times of war and peace,
including the thousands of Bell employees from across Canada who
volunteered – 227 of whom gave their lives for our country," said
George Cope, President and CEO of
BCE and Bell Canada. "As we honour
their memory, we're proud to support today's serving men and women,
veterans and their families in partnership with True Patriot Love
and Hire a Veteran."
The Bell True Patriot Love Fund
Launched in 2013 as a 4-year $1-million partnership between the Bell Let's
Talk mental health initiative and the True Patriot Love Foundation,
the Bell True Patriot Love Fund was renewed for another 4 years and
$1 million in 2016. The fund has so
far provided 70 grants to support mental health programs delivered
through Military Family Resource Centres (MFRCs), veterans' groups
and mental health organizations across Canada, making a difference
in the lives of more than 1,000 families.
"The mental health needs of service members, veterans and their
families are often complicated by the challenges of military life,
and the Bell True Patriot Love Fund is designed to support programs
that recognize and respond to that reality," said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let's Talk. "We
congratulate all of this year's grant recipients on their
commitment to supporting those who have done so much for our
country."
Bell Let's Talk and the True Patriot Love Foundation are pleased
to announce this year's grant recipients:
- 4 Wing MFRC
- Legacy Place
Society
- Mainland BC MFRC
- Mood Disorders Society of
Canada
- Moose Jaw MFRC
- National Service
Dogs
|
- Prince's Operation
Entrepreneur
- Roots of Empathy
- St. John's MFRC
- Perley Rideau Veteran's
Health Centre
- Veterans' Transition
Network
- Wounded Warriors
Canada
|
"True Patriot Love thanks Bell for its long-term commitment to
the mental health and wellbeing of Canadian military families,"
said Bronwen Evans, CEO of the True
Patriot Love Foundation. "Together, we are able to provide access
to critical programs and services for those brave individuals who
help keep this country strong and free."
Honoured guest: Gunner Norman
Cash
World War II veteran Norman Cash, a member of the Royal Canadian
Legion General Wingate Branch, will
be joining other veterans, community and corporate leaders, members
of the military and their families from across Canada tonight in
Toronto at the 9th Annual True
Patriot Love Tribute Dinner presented by Bell.
Mr. Cash, 98, is featured in Bell's Remembrance Day television spot Poppy, which
tells the story of a young girl – played by Ella Querin – learning the significance of the
poppies she sees around her at this time of year. During the course
of her journey, she encounters retired Captain Aida Gabriel, a veteran of Bosnia and Afghanistan, and Mr. Cash, who as an artillery
gunner took part in the liberation of France, Belgium and Holland.
Veterans and the Bell team
Working with Canada
Company's Military Employment Transition (MET) program, Bell
continues to grow and enhance our workforce with the valuable
skills and experience of military veterans, reservists, and their
spouses.
To date, Bell has welcomed 225 veterans, reservists and their
spouses to our team across the country, including Naval Cadet
Melissa McCorriston, who serves with HMCS York, and is also a guest
at tonight's True Patriot Love Dinner.
100th Anniversary of Vimy
Ridge
Bell was proud to participate in the centennial
of the Battle of Vimy Ridge this
year through its support for the Vimy Foundation and the new Vimy
Education Centre, which opened April 8,
2017. Bell has a special link to the Vimy Monument, on which
are inscribed the names of the more than 11,000 Canadians with no
known graves.
Of the 109 employees of Bell (including from Bell Canada, MTS, MT&T and NBTel) who died
during World War I, 7 died during the Vimy battle, and a total of 16 with no known
graves are named on the Vimy Monument itself.
About Bell
Bell is Canada's largest communications company, providing
broadband wireless, TV, Internet and business communication
services from Bell Canada, Bell
Aliant and Bell MTS. Bell Media is Canada's premier multimedia
company with leading assets in television, radio, out of home, and
digital media. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca or BCE.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 provides significant Bell funding of mental health
care and access, research and workplace leadership initiatives. To
learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
2017 Bell True Patriot Love Fund Grant Recipients
4 Wing MFRC (AB)
Suicide intervention skills
training for frontline workers and community members.
Legacy Place Society (AB)
Short term housing
for military personnel receiving mental health assistance and
support during a family crisis.
Mainland BC MFRC
Surviving Sorrow project for mothers of fallen soldiers.
Mood Disorders Society of Canada
(National)
Trauma support program for military
personnel.
Moose Jaw MFRC
Resilience training to help military families manage with the
challenges of military life, transitioning to civilian life and
operation stress injuries.
National Service Dogs (ON and Western Canada)
Service dogs for
military veterans with PTSD.
Prince's Operation Entrepreneur
(QC/NS/NL/SK)
Mental health training for business boot
camp volunteers.
Roots of Empathy (Atlantic
Canada)
Training for MFRC staff to deliver Roots of
Empathy program in schools with children from military
families.
St. John's MFRC
Equine facilitated treatment program to strengthen resilience and
enhance coping and communication skills for military families.
The Perley and Rideau Veterans' Health Centre
(ON)
Recreation and Creative Arts program for
veterans.
Veterans Transition Network
(QC/ON)
A program to help military members
and veterans overcome barriers to transition into civilian
life.
Wounded Warriors Canada COPE Program (ON)
A
program to give hope to couples struggling with PTSD.
Media inquiries:
Jacqueline Michelis
613-785-1427
jacqueline.michelis@bell.ca
@Bell_News
SOURCE Bell Canada