Fundraising efforts from the Canada Army Run will go to support the Canadian Forces Personnel Support programs (CFPSA), including Soldier On and the Military Families Fund.
CF SOLDIER ON
Soldier On was created in 2006 with the aim of supporting ill and injured military personnel with a permanent or chronic disability, both still serving and retired, and their families to attain an active and healthy lifestyle. It supports these personnel in increasing their independence, in developing new skills, in achieving goals and opening the door to other life opportunities. It furnishes an opportunity for them to socialize and explore common interests, and share learning experiences. Further, Soldier On emphasizes the potential residing in all Canadians, injured or non-injured. It investigates partnerships with other disability organizations, in Canada and abroad. It shows health-care professionals, other service providers, CF leadership and the general public how physical activity, sport and recreation can make all of this possible.
Soldier On partners in many initiatives with the Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), a non-profit, charitable, private organization, recognized by the International Paralympic Committee, which aims to empower Canadians with physical disabilities through sport. The partnership makes sense: the Paralympic movement began after WWII as a way of reintegrating injured soldiers into their communities and speeding their recovery.
Soldier On is a grassroots idea that grew. It was co-founded in 2006 by WO Andrew McLean, a CF Search and Rescue Technician and ultra-marathon runner, and Greg Lagacé, Paralympic Development Manager with the Canadian Paralympic Committee. The initiative expanded along with the needs of ill and injured military personnel, the interest and support of military leadership, and the promotion of health and physical fitness within the CF. In 2007, responsibility for Soldier On was transferred to the agency now known as Canadian Forces Personnel and Family Support Services (CFPFSS), and in November of that year the Soldier On program was complemented by the creation of the Soldier On Fund.
Our Mission
Provide resources and opportunities for serving and retired Canadian Forces personnel with a permanent or chronic illness or injury to actively participate in physical, recreational or sporting activities.
Our Vision
To be a world class leader, recognized for improving the quality of life of ill and injured military personnel and their families, and the defence community as a whole by inspiring them to adopt an active lifestyle.”
Objectives
The primary objectives of Soldier On are to:
- Facilitate, support and integrate resources and opportunities for ill and injured military personnel to fully and actively participate in physical, recreational or sporting activities;
- Create awareness of Soldier On among ill and injured military personnel, other CF personnel, the general public and corporations; and
- Investigate, foster and enhance partnerships with Canadian organizations and allied nations offering relevant programs and services.
The Soldier On Fund
While the Soldier On program is limited to supporting serving CF personnel, the Soldier On Fund has a wider application. The Soldier On Fund may be used to support not only currently serving CF personnel, but also former personnel and families of ill and injured.
So far, the Soldier On Fund has provided financial grants to accomplish the following:
- purchasing adaptive sports equipment and equipment that supports an adaptive lifestyle, including a custom mountain bike, a basketball wheelchair, a hockey sledge, a rowing shell and customized home gyms; and
- subsidizing the expenses of physical, recreational or sport related activity that directly contributes to attaining a healthy and active lifestyle.
The Soldier On Fund is one of several non-public property (NPP) funds benefiting CF personnel, former personnel and their families. Others are the Military Families Fund and the Hospital Comforts Fund.
To access funds, to contribute or for more information, please visit the Soldier On website at www.SoldierOn.ca
MILITARY FAMILIES FUND
“When our families call out for help, we must be able to answer that call immediately and substantially.Our families have been here for us through our enrolment, our training, our deployments, and our homecomings. The military life places significant demands on our loved ones. They did not volunteer for service – but serve they do, and with great distinction. It is our turn to be there for our families.” – General Rick Hillier Chief of the Defence Staff
The then Chief of the Defence Staff, General Rick Hillier, in recognition of the outpouring of support from Canadians, announced the creation of the Military Families Fund in April 2007. This fund will grow through the generous contributions of Canadians, corporations and other organizations, adding a new vehicle to support Canadian Forces members and their families.
More information at www.cfpsa.com/en/corporate/mfamily
