Steven Clark knows firsthand how donations to the Royal Canadian Legion make a positive impact in the lives of veterans and their families.
As the National Executive Director of the Legion, Clark regularly hears stories from members about how the organization helped a veteran secure housing, access mental health support, or adjust to civilian life.
Since the membership-based organization is a not-for-profit, it relies on fundraising efforts as well as donations from corporate organizations like TD to maintain its work.
In addition to collecting customer donations in branch, the Bank has donated $100,000 to the Legion to support its National Poppy Campaign, which will also see roughly 325,000 complimentary poppies distributed to TD customers through TD branches across the country.
The annual campaign runs from the last Friday of October until Remembrance Day as a way to pay tribute to veterans.
“The value of a donation is more than the financial support it offers; it is an expression of caring, a sign of encouragement and understanding of need,” says Clark. “The generosity of corporations like TD directly supports programs that benefit individuals. It helps change lives.”
Since 1926, the Legion has been instrumental in providing support to veterans, including members of the Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP, and their families. By offering services in a variety of areas like emergency financial support, housing, and peer-support programs, the Legion helps ensure veterans have access to the necessary resources to promote well-being.
The Legion also works to dismantle stigma around mental health by helping raise awareness about conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety – conditions about one-fifth of Canadian veterans will experience in their lifetime, according to Veterans Affairs Canada.
The Bank has a long-standing history with veterans and the Legion. During both World Wars, nearly half of all TD employees enlisted to serve their country. While the Bank welcomed back many colleagues, it also mourned those who did not return home – and has remained committed to supporting veterans in their honour.
Many TD branches have a tradition of supporting Legions through collecting donations and handing out poppies to help ensure Canadians never forget veterans. Today, the Bank is proud to continue that tradition as it distributes poppies across all Canadian branches.
Through the Legion and its many programs that help veterans and their families in need, TD is proud to support initiatives that address needs like housing, healthcare and accessibility programs that assist veterans with disabilities.
For Clark and his colleagues at the Legion, support from corporate Canada is invaluable. Not only does it demonstrate a belief in their work, but it shows a desire to become directly involved in advancing their cause.
“All manners of support are important to show veterans and their families that their compatriots care,” Clark says, “and that no one has to face any challenges alone.”