Support Our Troops Funds and Outreach Program

1. Support Our Troops Funds and Outreach Program Saskatchewan Command of The Royal Canadian Legion 46th Biennial Convention 17 October 2011 Jennifer Rankine MFF/HC Manager

2. Support Our Troops Funds • Military Families Fund (MFF) • Soldier On Fund • Hospital Comforts Fund • Canadian Forces Personnel Assistance Fund (CFPAF) • Operation Santa Claus (program)

3. Sources of Funding • Funds exist principally through donation • Major sources of funding • Donations from individuals and Corporations • Third Party Events • CANEX levies (CFPAF only)

4. Established in 2007 Assists military families faced with unforeseen and immediate needs that are attributed to conditions of service MFF Executive Committee advisory to CDS Relies on engagement by/support from the Chain of Command Military Families Fund

5. Agile and responsive to need Coordinated and synergized with other programs It is not an entitlement or a benefit Receipts must be retained Funding only to be spent on intended purpose Unused funding to be returned Military Families Fund Con’t

6. Beneficiary definition: Any individual related by blood or law to a serving or former CF member or to a member of that individual’s immediate family An individual not related by blood or law if the relationship between the CF member and individual has been of significance MFF Beneficiaries

7. Access to fund through mulitiple sources – Chain of Command, MFRCs, Padre, SISIP Financial Counsellors, VAC, the Legion, JPSUs/IPSCs etc. For those at the Base/Wing level – cases will be channelled back through the Chain of Command (JPSU/IPSC Chain of Command is DCSM) How do clients access the fund?

8. Link to conditions of service Financial distress or financial hardship A grant must resolves the situation Other (the right thing to do) MFF Criteria

9. Within Canada - Covered travel expenses for parents to visit their son in the hospital (member had been injured in an IED blast) Assisted with the costs associated with behavioural therapy for a member’s six-year old autistic son Covered the cost of counseling for a mom of a young soldier diagnosed with PTSD. Coverage under PSHCP had been maxed out. MFF Case Examples

10. Funds to cover furniture necessities and winter clothing for three nieces. The parents had been killed in an accident. Member terminally ill – assistance to cover the cost of medical supplies, wheelchair rental. Short-term income subsidy for a spouse who had to quit her job to care for her husband who had been injured. MFF Case Examples

11. MFF / SOT overhead includes costs associated with 1-877 telephone line, postage, honorariums, Interac fees, BMO Prepaid card Admin fees and some supplies. Average Overhead: $1.5K (avg FY 07/08-09/10): 1.3% Comparison: United Way overhead expenses 2009: 16% Camp Oochigeas 2009 (low std): 7% Not included above – about half of the honoraria are returned to the funds as donations Staff salaries are publicly reimbursed and not paid by the Fund Military Families Fund cont’d

12. Supports the Soldier On Program in improving the quality of life of injured/ill CF personnel through fitness, recreation and sport Soldier On Fund used to satisfy needs beyond the scope/mandate of Public Funding Soldier On Fund

13. Soldier On Fund Examples • Travel costs of 4 members who participated in the Centre for the Intrepid Mini-triathlon in San Antonio, Texas • Ice time for a member to practice Sledge Hockey • A grant to purchase a adaptive ski equipment

14. Soldier On Fund Examples • Travel costs for 2 members who participated in the World Para-Triathlon in Budapest, Hungary (one member won a bronze medal in her category) • Funded members and support personnel for the Army Run • Participation in introductory skills development camps – canoe, alpine ski, sledge hockey, etc.

15. Ensures hospitalized CF members have access to toiletries, reading materiel and other basic comforts, including telephone and internet Applies equally to injuries, accidents, surgeries, as well as addiction and mental health treatments Since 2006, benefit has been extended to more than 1,000 members Annual draw on the fund is @ 150 K Hospital Comforts Fund

16. Canadian Forces Personnel Assistance Fund • Provides financial assistance to serving and former members when warranted by distress or other qualifying circumstances • Self Improvement Loans up to $5,000 • Distress Grants up to $5,000 • Distress loans up to $25,000 • Education loans up to $4,000 per year to a maximum of $16,000 per student

17. Support Our Troops Overview Avg Annual Disbursement Applications Approved Since 2007 Fund Balance

18. Provides a Christmas gift to every deployed CF Member In 2010 – received donations from 78 Canadian Corporations and other donors 4449 CF members at 19 locations OP Santa Claus

19. Working with the following external stakeholders to identify program/funding gaps and overlaps: True Patriot Love Foundation, Canada Company, Royal Canadian Legion, Camp Maple Leaf, Wounded Warrior, Military Casualty Support Foundation, Canadian Hero Fund, Vacation for Vets; Holidays for Heroes Moving forward, efforts will be cooperative, integrated and harmonized Outreach

20. Website • www.supportingourtroops.ca • www.militaryfamiliesfund.ca

21. Contacts • Sandy Gauthier • National Manager, SOT Funds & CFPAF, 613-992-4560 • Jennifer Rankine • Manager, MFF & HC, 613-947-3750 • Heather Connolly • SOT Funds Coordinator, 613- 996-5325 • Nancy Branco • Manager, Corporate Outreach & Sponsorship, 613-995-0321

22. Questions?