A Special Planting for a Special Person
On Friday, Sept. 17, we joined 101 year old WWII Veteran Fred Arsenault and his family for the planting of a special tree in his honour at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, home to Fred and the largest Veterans’ care facility in the country. You may remember Mr. Arsenault as the story of his 100th birthday garnered significant media coverage in early 2020 as he wished for 100 birthday cards to mark the occasion of reaching the century mark. He ended up receiving over 90,000! Needless to say he captured the hearts of Canadians and individuals around the world, including ours.
Mary Greyeyes Reid: The First Indigenous Woman to Join Canada’s Armed Forces
Mary Greyeyes Reid, from the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation reserve north of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, enlisted in the military after being inspired by her brother David who joined as well. She enlisted in June 1942 at 22 years old. Her enlistment made her the first Indigenous woman to join the forces as a member of the Canadian Women’s Army Corps.
Commemorative Statue honouring Sir William Stephenson, A Man Called Intrepid
Inspired by our plantings and the story behind Camp X, campaign supporters Sue and Bryan Green decided that they wanted to continue to tell the story of this monumental location in Whitby, Ontario by erecting a statue of Sir William Stephenson.
Garden Club of Toronto Spotlight on the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign
Thank you so much to our founding partner, the Garden Club of Toronto, for putting together this incredible video highlighting our project.
Cindy McElrea Plants a Tribute to Her Son and His Brothers in Arms from Afghanistan
“Planting the trees first and foremost signifies a very valuable and memorable tribute. In addition, it offers a sanctuary for birds and wildlife, lots of greenery, and a buffer from the 401.”
Trees and More Trees
There is a light, but no tunnel. Rather, there is a field of experience and expertise that stands before us: a gorgeous, newly planted field of dream trees.
The Greenhouse Academy - Educating the Next Generation to Create a Greener Tomorrow
This year, the Greenhouse Academy provided over 1,500 trees to the Highway Of Heroes Tree Campaign. The Greenhouse Academy has supported the campaign for a couple of years now, allowing the GHA to connect youth to even greater learning experiences and establish an even greater purpose behind the work that happens inside their facility.
Youth or Cash?
When you give to plant trees on the Highway of Heroes, you not only support our Canadian troops and honour the memory of our war dead, you plant a better tomorrow.
Master Warrant Officer Bill Chisholm is in his 37th year in the RCAF
“It makes you grow a little taller when people say ‘Thank you for your service!’”, says Bill, but he tells us it makes him proud to know he has trees growing on his property that serve to honour those that have gone before him and those serving now.
Gratitude
Here at the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign, 2020 was our best year ever.
- We planted over 600,000 trees, bringing us to within more than 45% of our goal of 2 million trees
- Ontario government supported us with $1 million
- Our Remembrance Week/Christmas fund raising drive produced more than double the amount of our mini-campaign last year: over $100,000 matched by a private Canadian donor.
- We are now within our last $400,000 to meet our goal of $10 million
You could say that this past year set us up for an outstanding 2021. And you would be right.
A Simple Act
When I look at this image of Nick Kerr planting a tree, dressed in his army fatigues, I am reminded of just how real our campaign is. Nick came to us, after searching us out online, to help him heal from his PTSD. “A tree for you buddy” he repeats to himself as he digs.
Donor Highlights
From Savannah Harrington of Savannah Grace Bakes, to Janine Taylor of Boomerang Bags, and Linda Thorn at Grey Bruce Boomers, we have so many amazing donors who have gone the extra mile to support our campaign. Thank you!
Thank You Influencers!
Thank you so much to everyone who posted about our campaign during Remembrance Week!
Rembrandt and Remembrance
I would like to suggest that we can overcome the shortcomings of Memorial Day during a pandemic by stretching it out. How about Memorial Week? Or Memorial Month? We would take time each day to be mindful of the meaning behind Nov. 11. Think about a relative or friend who served or is currently serving in the military. Reach out to them and ask them how they are doing through COVID 19.
The Trews Highway of Heroes Single Campaign
We are so excited to announce that our friends, The Trews, have generously donated 25 SIGNED Highway of Heroes singles CDs to support our campaign. We would like to offer our top supporters, within the month of November, one of these CDs.
Veterans Week and the 75th Anniversary of the End of WWII
Canada joined the war on September 10, 1939 and it didn’t end until V-J Day on August 15, 1945 with the surrender of Japan. During this time, more than a million Canadians volunteered for service and more than 45,000 gave their lives. We are a country strong and free because of the sacrifice of these brave individuals.
Virtual Remembrance Day Celebrations
This Remembrance Day, things will be a little different. Instead of attending a parade or cenotaph memorial, Canadians will be celebrating the lives of those lost during wartime online.
3rd Base and Headed for Home
We can now offer matching funds for every dollar raised before the end of the year. Double the impact of your donation and receive a tax deduction.
Drip Irrigation Systems Installed to Keep Our Trees Hydrated During this Hot Summer
This year, the heat of the summer forced us to install drip irrigation systems to ensure that our newly planted sites get the hydration that they need.