“Inspiring.”
It’s the word Lieutenant-General (LGen) Michael Wright, Commander Canadian Army, uses when he describes taking part in the 2024 Canada Army Run in Ottawa.
And it’s a word that perfectly describes the moment when LGen Wright gathered with several of Canada Army Run’s key sponsors to present a $400,000 cheque to Support Our Troops and Soldier On December 4, 2024, at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa.
This donation, which includes peer-to-peer fundraising by event participants and event proceeds, brings Canada Army Run’s total contribution to these important charitable causes to more than $5 million since 2008.
Todd Stride, Associate Vice-President of Military Family Services Community Development at Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS), told everyone gathered for the cheque presentation that last year, Support Our Troops directly benefitted 7,000 members of the military community. This support includes programs and services such as a Holiday Hamper Program and Special Needs Grants that provide direct relief when people are in need.
“The programs are wide-ranging, but they don’t happen in isolation,” said Stride. “We need great partners.”
Stride noted Canada Army Run is a key contributor to Support Our Troops. A former Army Reservist who remembers taking part in the first edition of the event, Stride says Canada Army Run has a special place in his heart.
“It’s been 15 years of great events, and I think the success of the event is the driving force and leadership of the Canadian Army Command Team, the Army staff and volunteers, and the sponsors,” he said. “It’s community helping community.”
On behalf of Peter Nicol, the National Manager of Soldier On, Madison MacDonald, the Associate Director of Community Development and Strategic Partnerships at Canadian Armed Forces Charitable Causes (Support Our Troops and Soldier On), shared how Soldier On supports the recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration of ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and Veterans.
MacDonald says Canada Army Run is a major contributor to the Soldier On Fund, which gives Soldier On members the opportunity to take part in approximately 114 events and activities each year and supports the Soldier On Equipment Grant program. Last year, the Fund provided more than 1,000 Equipment Grants to serving CAF members and Veterans and helped more than 1,000 Veterans attend Soldier On Events/Activities.
The Canada Army Run team is extremely grateful to everyone who registers, makes the effort to fundraise and chooses to support our event in so many ways. This donation represents the dedication and determination of so many participants, sponsors, partners and supporters, and it reminds us all what a positive impact we can have when we come together as a community.
To learn more about fundraising with Canada Army Run and about Support Our Troops and Soldier On, visit https://armyrun.ca/fundraising/.
To register for the 2025 Canada Army Run and begin fundraising to make a difference in the lives of CAF members, Veterans and their families, visit https://raceroster.com/events/2025/94721/canada-army-run-2025-course-de-larmee-du-canada-2025.