True Patriot Love 2010 Tribute Dinner Raises Record $2.4 Million for Military Families

Story: Bill Delingat

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has told Parliament that Canada's combat mission will end next year as scheduled. However, his government finally confirmed that the country would keep up to 950 soldiers and support staff in Afghanistan on a training mission until March 2014(as reported in the Canadian Press).

"When Canada is asked by its allies and when Canada is asked by the Afghan people, 'Get us ready to defend ourselves,' I think Canada should respond as the government is responding."

But a new poll suggests Canadians are wary of any extension to the military mission in Afghanistan, which has claimed the lives of 152 members of the Forces. This is just another reason why events such as “True Patriot Love” are so important for those who are making our world a safer place.

The True Patriot Love Foundation 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 True Patriot Love Foundation announced that, for the second year running, a record amount of $2.4 million was raised to support Canadian military families. The funds will be donated to the Military Families Fund (MFF), Soldier On, Military Family Resource Centres and other charities that step in and assist military persons where governments are unable.

This is the Foundation’s second annual gala and it was held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, with more than 1,800 people in attendance.  Once again General (Ret’d) Rick Hillier was the Honourary Chair of the event. Dignitaries such as Canada’s Chief of the Defence Staff General Walter Natynczyk, Lieutenant Governor David Onley and Minister of Defence Peter MacKay were in attendance. 

Rick Hillier, back on the literary trail with his second book “Fight like a soldier, Die like a Child’ was also part of the auction, offering his services as a power speaker for a business staff workshop. He generated not just 1 bid but 3 and as the bidding heated up, Hillier offered to do all 3 bids that were battling for his services, thereby bringing in over $100,000, for the charity.

The event also had a military display and the silent auction table featuring hand painted army helmets and other donations to raise funds for the event. The backdrop for the announcer’s stage was the cockpit of the famous Tudor fighter jet, best known for Canada’s acrobatic precision flying team “The Snowbirds”. This became a conversation piece with the writer and a retired pilot, who went on to talk about his son and the performance he was about to do “Live on Stage” Mr. Patterson explained that over 500 submissions were sent in for a song to raise awareness and money for this year’s event and his son Jon’s was picked after being spotted on You Tube.

Cashbox had a chance to meet with Jon J Patterson after his performance and Patterson went on to explain how he got here. 

“I am a signer songwriter who writes music that will inspire people and make them think about life. I have been performing since the age of 15 in various clubs around the GTA and am looking forward to pursuing my lifelong dream of being a prominent music artist”.

Patterson continued to mention, “The song was inspired by a military mom who posted a statement on “Facebook” a few months ago. I read it and woke up at 4 a.m. the next morning with the sudden urge to start writing lyrics. By the end of that day the song was recorded and posted on “You Tube.” Since posting it I have received numerous emails of support and I am proud to have been able to help and perform for True Patriot Love Foundation.”

The tune has universal sentiments and appeal and we hope you will download it as we did and support our troops who are there to make sure we have a free world for our children and those around the world. 

Patterson went on to explain, “All net proceeds of the iTunes sale will be donated to the “True Patriot Love” foundation so I am really hoping it takes off for them.”

Visit the link to download “HERO” and more on the Foundation,

Help our troops while they are helping all of us.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/heros/id403117181

(www.truepatriotlovefoundation.com

http://youtube.com/user/mrjonsong