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News Release
Commissionaires Ottawa Running in Partnership with CFB Petawawa to Raise Funds for Military Families: May 7-8, 2009
Two-day, 200-km second annual event to end at red Friday welcome home troops rally in Petawawa
April 22, 2009, National Capital Region/Ottawa Valley – Lead Sponsor and Organizer Commissionaires Ottawa, in partnership with Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Petawawa, is preparing for its Second Annual RUN FOR MILITARY FAMILIES event in support of the Petawawa Military Family Resource Centre (PMFRC) and its mission – which is to enrich the lives of individuals and families of the military community through positive action, education and support.
This year’s event takes place on May 7-8, 2009. About 20 commissionaires and 20 CFB Petawawa military personnel will run, in pairs and sometimes as a group, in relay-style formation for a total of 200 km from Ottawa along Highways 417 and 17 West to Petawawa. To acknowledge gathered supporters, donors, veterans, schools and military families along the way, the running convoy will detour through various communities and make brief stops at the following assembly points: Parliament Hill (starting point), Kanata, Carp, Kinburn, Arnprior, Renfrew, the Township of McNab/Braeside, the Township of Whitewater Region, Pembroke, and through to the finish line in Petawawa. They will also be stopping at some schools along the way.
Paul Guindon, CEO of Commissionaires Ottawa, Lead Sponsor and Organizer of the event, says, “This event is about remembering the sacrifices that families make when their loved ones are deployed. We need to remember what it’s like for the spouses and children. We need to do everything we can to show them we care and support them through difficult times. As our troops serve our country, this is one of the ways we can do our part to help serve military families’ needs.”
Mr. Guindon, a retired navy captain who spent 33 years in the Canadian Forces, adds, “This year we were honoured to have been invited by the Red Friday Ladies to have the RUN FOR MILITARY FAMILIES runners end their two-day journey at the Red Friday Welcome Home Troops Rally at Moncion Grocers, Petawawa Market. The majority of our troops will have returned by then and while we mourn and pay tribute to the individuals and their families who have suffered losses, we will also honour the brave women and men who have safely returned home to reunite with their families.”
Organizers, dignitaries and special guests confirmed so far include but are not limited to: Captain (N) Paul A. Guindon (Ret'd), Commandant and CEO, Commissionaires Ottawa, Lead Sponsor and Organizer; General Walter J. Natynczyk, CMM, MSC, CD, Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Forces; The Honourable Peter MacKay, PC, QC, MP, in his capacity as Minister of National Defence; The Honourable John Baird, M.P., P.C., B.A., in his capacity as Honourary Commissionaire; Max Keeping, in his capacity as Board member, CDS Military Families Foundation; seven Mayors (representing the communities of Ottawa, Arnprior, Renfrew, McNab/Braeside, Whitewater Region, Pembroke and Petawawa), Legions, schools, businesses and community organizations.
At the conclusion of the RUN FOR MILITARY FAMILIES on May 8, a cheque will be presented in a brief ceremony amidst hundreds of supporters gathered at the Red Friday Welcome Home Troops Rally to be held at Moncion Grocers (Petawawa Market, 3025 Petawawa Blvd. in Petawawa). The Rally begins at 11:00 a.m. and the RUN FOR MILITARY FAMILIES runners are due to cross the finish line by around 1:00 p.m.
Commissionaires Ottawa has been reaching out to citizens and businesses for a monetary contribution in support of the PMFRC. Donations can be made by calling toll free 1-877-322-6777 (Ottawa Valley) or 613-231-6462 (National Capital Region). Visa or MasterCard are accepted and receipts will be issued for donations of $20 or more. Donations can also be made to the “Commissionaires Ottawa Charity Account” by visiting a Bank of Montreal branch (Transit #: 0005, Account #: 1148-849) or by sending a cheque c/o 24 Colonnade Road, Ottawa, K2E 7J6.
In addition, fundraisers with donation boxes will be leap-frogging ahead of runners at designated assembly points all along the 200 km route. To access the event schedules for each community or to learn more about how to donate, volunteer or support the RUN FOR MILITARY FAMILIES, please visit: www.commissionaires-ottawa.on.ca.
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For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Andrée Paige, Communications/Media Relations (Commissionaires Ottawa)
Tel: 613-745-2312 / Cell: 613-863-1828 / E-mail : andree@cgacommunications.com
For questions relating to CFB Petawawa’s participation in this event, please contact:
Daphny Gebhart-Turcotte, Base Public Affairs
Tel: 613-687-5511, ext. 7532 / Cell: 613-633-9465 / E-mail : Gebhart-Turcotte.DK@forces.gc.ca
For questions relating to the Red Friday Welcome Home Troops Rally (organized by the Red Friday Ladies and hosted by Moncion Grocers, Petawawa Market), please contact:
Karen Boire, Red Friday Lady and Promotions Manager, Moncion Grocers (Petawawa Market)
Tel: 613-687-5000 (Office) / E-mail: karenboire@monciongrocers-petawawa.com
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