Military Families Fund

Illustration credit: David Craig

On t.v. lately there have been announcements from the military in regards to the Military Families Fund. Personally I have served on the "deployment as a Military Mom" continuing constant support of our troops - yet wondering and worrying, yes many tears, feeling afraid, however keeping my chin up and always looking to my son with pride and always being here for him... and for other families. I know soon, I will be on this " deployment mission" again. (I know many local and national military families are and have always been here supporting our troops through rallies, letters, banners, yellow ribbon campaigns, endless care packages, .. and LOTS of love. Now the soldiers have turned to help us.) Today, I thought I'd provide details for you about the Military Families Fund. Thank you to our Chief of Defence Staff Rick Hillier for initiating this fund and our wonderful soldiers and CFPSA for supporting us - your military families.

The 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. 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.

"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 Military Families Fund (MFF) is an agile and responsive means for Base and Wing Commanders, in concert with Military Family Resource Centers (MFRC) across the country, to help military families within hours of being advised of need. It will help with short-term emergencies and also provide long-term support. The MFF allows CF leadership to meet the special-case needs of CF members and their families with speed and flexibility not always available through the traditional programs.

The MFF enhances and complements, it does not replace, existing public and non-public programs. The Fund fills the gaps by providing for the unforeseen and often immediate needs that families may have due to conditions of service .

The MFF allows for several areas of support by way of interest-free loan or grants, including rehabilitation, education, financial assistance in the case of injury or death of a CF member due to service, and urgent and extraordinary financial demands where the ability to provide family necessities is at risk.

Contributions can be made either:

On-line: https://www.cfpsa.com/en/corporate/mfamily/contributions/default.aspx

By Mail - make cheque or money order payable to:

CFCF - Military Families Fund

c/o Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency

4210 Labelle Street

Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2

By calling: 1-877-445-6444

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT: http://www.militaryfamiliesfund.ca/

Canadian Forces Officer Completes Cross-Country Cycling Tour in Support of Military Families

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July 24, 2007 - Lieutenant-Commander Jean Marcotte will return from his two-month cycling tour across Canada in support of the CDS Military Families Fund, which was launched in April 2007 as a vehicle to assist Canadian military families at home and around the world.

Meet with LCdr Marcotte, his family and friends to acknowledge the end of his trip. LCdr Marcotte is a 37-year Canadian Forces (CF) member and avid cyclist. Donations have been collected since his departure representing one penny per kilometer cycled per donation and a representative of the Fund, Brigadier-General Martin will be present to accept a cheque for the CDS Military Families Fund from LCdr Marcotte.

LCdr Marcotte left Ottawa on June 2nd and first cycled to Newfoundland, where he dipped his bike into the Atlantic. After flying to Victoria, British Columbia, he then did the same in the Pacific and has made the trip home via central Canada. LCdr Marcotte is expected to cross into Ontario from the Champlain Bridge but his final stop will be on Parliament Hill.

WHERE:  Parliament Hill (by the Eternal flame)

WHEN:   Wednesday at 10:15 a.m. (Event will take place rain or shine.)
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 An Excerpt from LCdr Marcotte's Journal:
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Day 53 (July 24, 2007) - I left yesterday from a camp-siteocated at 
Point Alexander approximately 10 km in north of Deep River.
The lady of the camp-site had pity for me and made me a delicious
hamburger when I told her that I was probably going to carry on my way
until Deep River because I had not eaten anything since 10h00 in the
morning. Finally a good meal and a beautiful camp-site where I met a
couple from Perth that was returning from White Horse passing by the
Yellowhead trail. If ever I cross Canada again I believe that I will
pass by this road. I left with an odometer indicating 6915.2 km.
Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day, almost no wind but the little that
was present blew against me. I stopped in Petawawa and gave an
interview for the Petawawa Post for the CDS funds. Finally I stopped in
Shawville, Qc in a very beautiful and free municipal camp-site. This
morning I have 3 friends who come to join to me to do the last
remaining leg towards my house with me. This evening I will sleep in my
house and tomorrow a last leg from the house towards the Parliament
Hill with the CDS to officially give the cheque to the fund.

To view LCdr Marcotte's cross country journal online, visit: 

http://pages.videotron.com/cycleman
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Press Release - Military Families Fund

This is a press release that just came in from the National Defence Department. This is great news! My only question is: What does it fund? I know a lot of families who do not live on or near the defence bases and have felt like they were and/or are in left field (out of the loop). If you are in this category, please leave me a comment (you can remain annonymous if you wish, but just notate a city or town). eg. Did you go attend a midtour briefing? (many parents and spouses didn't even know there was one) Is there a CFPSA in your area?

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April 2, 2007

CFPSA: CDS Military Families Fund
OTTAWA, ONTARIO - - (April 2, 2007)

The Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), General Rick Hillier, in recognition of the outpouring of support from Canadians, announced the creation of the CDS Military Families Fund today, adding a new vehicle to support military families."When our families call out for help, we must be able to answer that call immediately and substantially," said Gen. Hillier. "Our families have been here for us through our enrollment, 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."The CDS Military Families Fund will be an agile and responsive means to provide support to military families. Base Commanders, partnered with Military Family Resource Centres across the country, will be able to assist military families within hours of being advised of the need.The CDS Military Families Fund will grow through the contributions of private citizens and corporations. Contributions can be accepted by phone or mail, as well as through participation in upcoming fundraising events that will be announced later this year. For inquiries about this fund or to make a contribution, please call 1-877-445-6444.

The Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency (CFPSA) - the morale and welfare arm of the CF that provides programs and services for the well-being of the CF community - will administer the CDS Military Families Fund. Cheques or money orders should be made out to CFCF - CDS Military Families Fund.

The mailing address is as follows:

CDS Military Families Fund
c/o Canadian Forces Personnel Support Agency
4210 Labelle Street ,
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0K2

Please do not send cash.