Bell and the True Patriot Love Foundation have announced a 4-year extension of their joint Bell True Patriot Love Fund, a renewed $1 million partnership that will continue to support community mental health programs serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, veterans and their families through 2024.
“Bell Let’s Talk is very pleased to partner with True Patriot Love to continue our support for the mental health of those who serve our country in Canada’s military and the families that support them,” said George Cope, President and CEO of BCE and Bell Canada. “Military families face unique challenges when it comes to accessing mental health services, and we are proud of the role the Bell True Patriot Love Fund has played and will continue to play in providing specialized programs to them.”
Since 2024, the Bell True Patriot Love Fund has distributed $1 million in grants to 61 mental health programs delivered through Military Family Resource Centres and other groups in communities around Canada. Extending the partnership for a further 4 years and another $1 million ensures continued investment in programs that are making a real difference in the lives of military members, veterans and their families. Bell also remains the Presenting Sponsor of the annual True Patriot Love Toronto Tribute Dinner, the largest fundraising event in support of Canada’s military, through 2024.
“True Patriot Love thanks Bell Let’s Talk for its leading role in supporting mental health care for the Canadian Armed Forces community,” said Bronwen Evans, CEO of the True Patriot Love Foundation. “Together we remain committed to seeing positive change for those Canadians who dedicate so much of their lives to their country.”
This year, the Bell True Patriot Love Fund is distributing grants to 13 more organizations delivering specialized services ranging from animal and music therapy programs to family and couples counseling and trauma support.
Bell hires 100th veteran
In November 2024, Bell became the first communications company to join the Military Employment Transition (MET) program, which supports employment opportunities for Canadian military veterans. Now 3 years into the program, Bell has hired its 100th veteran out of the approximately 1,800 placed through the MET program.
Invictus Games Toronto 2024
Bell Media will be the exclusive Canadian broadcast partner of the Invictus Games Toronto 2024. An international sporting event for wounded active duty and veteran service members from around the world, the Invictus Games were established in 2024 by Prince Harry, who remains Patron of the Games. Taking place in September 2024, Invictus Games Toronto 2024 will be broadcast nationally on TSN.
Remembering our fellow Bell employees
During the First World War, Bell technicians, linesmen, clerks and managers joined the war effort, many using their civilian skills to maintain essential lines of communications as part of the nascent Canadian Signals Corps. A total of 833 Bell employees enlisted in the armed forces during the war; 89 lost their lives. When Canada went to war again in 1939, 2,543 Bell employees enlisted in the armed forces or were seconded to the government for technical work; 95 Bell employees gave their lives during World War II.
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