True Patriot Love Foundation’s NB-PEI Tribute Dinner raises more than $310,000 for three military charities

NEWS RELEASE 

October 29, 2010

For immediate release

True Patriot Love Foundation’s NB-PEI Tribute Dinner raises more than $310,000 for three military charities

FREDERICTON, NB – The True Patriot Love Foundation’s NB-PEI Tribute Dinner, the first held outside Toronto has raised more than $310,000 for three military charities that assist soldiers and their families – the Canadian Forces Benevolent Fund, the Military Family Resource Centres and the Wounded Warriors Fund.

The event was held at the Delta Fredericton Hotel yesterday and raised funds through tribute dinner ticket sales, corporate sponsorships and silent auctions for helmets decorated by artists, as well as limited edition centrepiece sculptures. The final official tally was $312,675.

“We are thrilled that this first regional event held for New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, in Fredericton, was such a rousing success,” said Elisabeth Rybak, dinner chair. “The members of our military and their families are truly grateful for the incredible generosity shown toward them.”

“I want to thank everyone who attended —  the many artists for the wonderful “Art for Heroes” works, all of our sponsors, and finally and most importantly, those serving in the Canadian Forces,’” said fundraising chair John Irving. “We had tremendous support from both individuals and companies to support the men and women of the Canadian Forces and their families.”

True Patriot Love Foundation chair Shaun Francis was equally pleased. “This was the first time we’ve held this event in the Maritimes, but it certainly won’t be the last,” he said. “People came together to work toward a worthy cause. It was wonderful to see. I thank each and every person who supported us from the bottom of my heart.”

Tribute Dinner co-patrons were the Honourable Graydon Nicholas, Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick, and the Honourable Barbara Hagerman, Lieutenant-Governor of Prince Edward Island. Guest speakers were Brigadier-General Jonathan Vance and Warrant Officer Dale Verge. Other dignitaries in attendance included the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of Revenue, Premier David Alward, and the Honourable George Webster, Deputy Premier of Prince Edward Island. Master of ceremonies for the event was Harry Forestell, anchor of CBC News New Brunswick.

About True Patriot Love Foundation

True Patriot Love Foundation (www.truepatriotlovefoundation.com) was founded in 2009 by a group of citizens who want to make a positive contribution to the lives of Canadian military personnel and their families – to serve those who serve on behalf of our nation. The Foundation has grown through generous contributions from patriotic Canadians, corporations and other organizations.

The Foundation supports funds and charities dedicated to supporting the Canadian Military and their families. Through these charities and funds, we are able to help families quickly reunite in times of illness, injury and death, access rehabilitation and counselling related to injury-induced life adjustments and support the needs of the children of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and our fallen comrades. Our funding complements and enhances, but does not replace, existing public and non-public programs. EVEN HEROES NEED HEROES.

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For more information, please contact:

Julie Fotheringham

416-951-7988

julie.fotheringham@hageman.ca