Calgary Legion Generously Donates $100,000 to Breaking Free Foundation
The Ogden Legion (Branch #154) in Calgary unfortunately had to close its doors this year due to a lack of membership, but they are leaving an incredible legacy behind. On December 8, 2015, the Ogden Legion handed out $2.2 million in donation cheques to 20 Calgary non-profits and charities, and the Breaking Free Foundation was incredibly honoured to be one of them!
Members of the Breaking Free Foundation board were in attendance at a presentation ceremony this week, where we were given an amazing donation of $100,000! Being in our first year of operation, this donation is a game-changer for us, as we'll be able to roll out our much-anticipated Therapy Grant Program.
If you're unfamiliar with our Therapy Grant Program, it allows us to provide free trauma therapy to Albertans. We screen and select the best trauma-trained therapists across our province, and match them with applicants who need mental health treatment. Our biggest goal, is to make trauma treatment accessible for everyone, regardless of economic status.
If you've been following the news in Alberta lately, it's no secret our citizens are in desperate need of access to mental healthcare: domestic violence, mental health problems and suicides are all on a steep incline in our province this year. Trauma affects everyone, and comes in thousands of forms from abuse and combat to disease, death, divorce, addiction—the list is endless. This $100,000 donation allows us to help so many more people, and we're so grateful for the amazing people at the Ogden Legion for thinking of BFF.
19 other amazing local non-profits received donation cheques as well, here's the list:
Boys and Girls Club of Calgary
Made by Momma
Ogden House Senior Citizen's Club
Alzheimer Society of Calgary
Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured
BC and Alberta Guide Dogs Program
Stopbully.com
Alberta Animal Rescue Society (AARCS)
Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse
Calgary Poppy Fund
Calgary YWCA
Legacy Place Society
Little Warriors
Meow Foundation
Millican-Ogden Community Association
Ogden Legion Pipe Band Association
Prairie Sky Equine Assisted Therapy
Project P.A.L
Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre
Huge thank you again to the Ogden Legion, we look forward to serving the trauma community for many years to come! For more information on our Therapy Grant Program, see here. You can reach BFF via email or contact us anytime on Facebook or Twitter.