Women from the military and business executives complete challenging 100 km snowshoe expedition to Baffin Island, raising close to $1M for military and Veteran families
TORONTO, April 26, 2019 /CNW/ - On April 1st, a group of business leaders joined together with ill and injured military Veterans from across Canada for a 14-day, 100 km all-women expedition in Baffin Island, Nunavut.
The team's objective was to raise funds for military and Veteran families through True Patriot Love Foundation, a national charity dedicated to providing essential support and resources to the military community, including serving members, Veterans and their families. The adventure wrapped up on April 14 and is close to reaching the $1 million fundraising goal. Past expeditions have collectively raised $7.5 million for the cause.
Funds raised will be used to help address the unique challenges faced by military and Veteran families resulting from service, including mental health, physical rehabilitation, transitioning to civilian life, and the special needs of children.
Previous expeditions have ventured to the Himalayas, the North Pole and Antarctica, but this is the first journey to Baffin Island, and the first women's expedition. True Patriot Love's expeditions highlight the perseverance and unconquerable spirit of military members and Veterans in the face of adversity. The all-women expedition to Baffin Island was conceptualized to showcase and celebrate female strength and resilience, and bring added focus to the challenges that women face in both the military and business workforces. The expedition also includes a mentorship component where business leaders offer one-on-one support to military participants as they transition to civilian careers.
Participants were tested both physically and mentally amid the Arctic landscape, which included whiteout conditions with low visibility on some days, and temperatures that dipped to -40 C. Completing the journey left many of the participants with a fresh perspective and newfound purpose.
"I'm so grateful for having had the opportunity to participate in this challenging but rewarding adventure with such a remarkable group of women- it's something I'll never forget," said Libby McCready, Vice-President, Training and Development, Mackenzie Investments. "It was such a rewarding experience, both in terms of being able to test our limits and raise money for such an important cause. The strong bonds that were created on this expedition will last a lifetime."
For Kathryn Logan, a Lieutenant Commander in the Canadian Armed Forces, the expedition left a lasting mark. "True Patriot Love's Baffin Island trip was an incredible experience for me as an injured service member," says Logan. "Having the opportunity to take in the raw beauty of Canada's North with so many amazing women was inspiring and empowering. I greatly appreciated the opportunity to visit Nunavut and I look forward to the mentorship and support from my Baffin Island sisters as I approach the transition from military to civilian life. I thank the other participants and True Patriot Love for an experience I will treasure for the rest of my life."
Laura Hearn, True Patriot Love Foundation's VP of Corporate Partnerships, Events & Marketing also joined the Baffin Island expedition as a participant. "The expedition was an unforgettable experience and a true demonstration of what can be accomplished when a dedicated group of people come together to take on a difficult task," she says. "It was an honour to share this experience with such an incredible team of women from the military and business worlds and to continue shining a light on our important work of supporting the military community."
True Patriot Love is grateful for the sponsors of this year's expedition, including presenting sponsor Mackenzie Investments and platinum sponsor Scotiabank.
About True Patriot Love Foundation
True Patriot Love Foundation (TPL) is a national charity dedicated to providing Canadian military and Veteran families with the support they need and the hope they deserve. Since 2009, TPL has provided $25 million to fund innovative research and support 750 community-based programs across the country. By addressing the unique challenges resulting from military service including mental health, physical rehabilitation, transitioning to civilian life, and the special needs of children, TPL has helped change the lives of more than 25,000 military families.
With women making up only 15% of the Canadian Armed Forces, True Patriot Love is committed to supporting programs that address the unique needs of female military members, Veterans and their families. Through the Captain Nichola Goddard Fund, True Patriot Love provides national funding to directly benefit community programs that support servicewomen, female Veterans, and their families. The Fund was established in memory of Captain Nichola Goddard, the first female Canadian soldier to die in a combat role.
Visit www.truepatriotlove.com for more information about the Foundation, and www.tplexpedition.com for more about the Baffin Island expedition.
SOURCE True Patriot Love Foundation
For further information: For media enquiries, including interview opportunities, please contact: Ya Shan Waley, Director of Marketing & Communications, True Patriot Love Foundation, 416-206-2481, [email protected]
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