Spruce Meadows Leg Up Foundation Presents $200,000 In ‘Biggest Ever’ Donation To Veterans Association

 A $200,000 cheque from the Spruce Meadows Leg Up Foundation was proudly delivered to the Veterans Association this week ahead of Remembrance Day, in what staff say is ‘the biggest donation they have ever received by far’.

The funds, raised in September during the Leg Up Foundation’s annual Unstoppable dinner and auction, will be enough to ‘easily keep 50 vulnerable veteran’s families from being made homeless’, according to association bosses. It will also buy a much-needed elevator to help veterans access a lounge in the association headquarters, and help support the Pet Promise Program.

“I started crying when I heard the amount,” recalled Marie Blackburn, Executive Director, Calgary Veterans Association. “This size of donation is groundbreaking for us, and it will help so many people during a time when they are struggling like never before.” Blackburn told how rent increases in the city have made it difficult for many veterans to keep up with their bills.

“We’ve intervened to stop 38 veterans and their families from being made homeless in the last few months,” Blackburn said. “Last year, we saved 148 families from losing their homes.

“This is the biggest donation we have ever received by far.

“It’s incredible.”

This latest donation follows the $73,000 that was given to two Jasper charities by the Leg Up Foundation last month.

Catherine Agar, Co-Chair of Unstoppable, the Spruce Meadows Leg Up Foundation Fundraiser, said: “We were so happy to be able to give this donation to such a worthy group.

“The work undertaken by the Veterans Association to support our military heroes when they need it most is invaluable.

“We were saddened to hear of the continuing struggles so many are having with the cost of living, and it is our sincere hope that this contribution can help alleviate some of those difficulties.”