On behalf of the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, Dr. Helena Jaczek, the MP for Markham-Stouffville, announced that the Government of Canada is providing over $10,000 in funding to support Whitchurch-Stouffville’s Royal Canadian Legion 459.
This funding will assist the Legion with their operational costs to allow the Legion to continue to deliver important services for veterans and their families.
The Veterans Organizations Emergency Support Fund is part of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan to protect jobs, provide emergency support and keep businesses afloat through the pandemic. Organizations such as Whitchurch-Stouffville’s Royal Canadian Legion 459 play a critical role in the well-being of veterans, their families and the community.
“The pandemic has been difficult for Veterans organizations right across the country,” Jaczek said. “These organizations, including Stouffville’s Royal Canadian Legion 459, do vitally important work. They are such an important part of the community.
“This funding will help to make sure they are be able to continue supporting our veterans and their families, both now and into the future.”
Organizations receiving these funds will have access to the support they need to replace charitable and other revenue lost because of the pandemic, and will be able to continue their work with veterans and their families during a time when it is needed most. These organizations support the well-being of veterans and their families across the country.
They carry out a range of services such as, mental health support, social and community support, commemoration efforts, animal therapy, healing through physical activity, and healing through nature, and counseling.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has been extremely hard on all Branches of the Royal Canadian Legion across the country,” said Murray Pattenden, President Royal Canadian Legion Branch 459 Stouffville. “While most Branches are able to sustain short term closures, many Branches have been hit hard and could close permanently. The funding has helped Branch #459 Stouffville to pay our ongoing contractual utility obligations so that the Legion can continue to support our veterans and their families as well as our seniors in our community for years to come”
Photo: (L to R) Cheryl Hogg, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 459 First Vice President; Murray Pattenden, President Royal Canadian Legion Branch 459; and Dr. Helena Jaczek, Member of Parliament for Markham-Stouffville.
