CALGARY, June 3, 2019 /CNW/ - The Homes for Heroes Foundation (the Foundation) and Canadian Pacific (CP) are proud to announce the third annual Spin for a Veteran event held this past weekend beat expectations and raised more than $505,000, which will go towards building homes for homeless veterans. To date, this event has raised approximately $800,000 to support homeless veterans reintegrating into civilian life. Each $100,000 raised represents the organization's ability to build one home, bringing CP's total to eight homes.  

Held on Canadian Armed Forces Day, CP's Spin for a Veteran had 18 teams of CP employees, local companies and emergency services riding for 24 hours in a spin competition to see who could ride the farthest. Teams including CP, ATCO, Calgary Police Service and Lord Strathcona's Horse Regiment rode a total distance of 14,290 kilometres, equivalent to travelling from Vancouver, B.C. to Cape Spear, Newfoundland and back again. The CP Veterans team pushed through and won the competition, covering 925 kilometres.

"CP has a long history of supporting the military and we are proud to have our employees rally behind this important cause," said CP Senior Vice-President, Operations System and Canadian veteran Scott MacDonald. "It's an honour and a privilege to support our Canadian veterans in their time of need as they so selflessly stood on guard for this great country. This event is a means to increase support to help combat veteran homelessness in Calgary."

Thousands of Canadians who have fought in the armed forces are without homes due to challenges they face transitioning out of active duty. The Foundation's mandate is to provide housing and the framework needed to ensure a successful transition into civilian life to those who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces.

"The funds raised will be used to build affordable homes in a community of peers with a support structure designed to meet individual needs, and provide a sense of place and belonging for Canadian military veterans experiencing homelessness," said Homes for Heroes Foundation Co-founder and President Dave Howard. "Homes for Heroes is very fortunate to have the support from local businesses like CP to host this spectacular event each year and raise money to help the Foundation build homes in veterans village. We owe it to our Canadian soldiers to help them through the challenging times they might be encountering, and we believe we have a solution to end the homeless issues they're facing."

The Homes for Heroes veterans village will be a unique tiny-home community that offers a solution to the homeless Canadian military veterans. Each home will be named after a Canadian soldier who lost his or her life in Afghanistan. The community is scheduled to open fall 2019. You can donate online at Spin4Vets.com. 

"I commend CP and their employees for their ongoing efforts to support Canada's Veterans through the Spin for a Veteran initiative," said Minister of National Defence, The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan. "Events like this one allow Canadians to demonstrate gratitude for the service of our women and men in uniform. I wish the organizers and participants every success in achieving their fundraising goals this year."

"I have seen first-hand the commitment CP has made to supporting veterans," said CP Manager Diversity and Military Relations Rory Thompson, a British military veteran. "CP recognizes and values the skills and experiences that veterans obtain throughout their military service and as such has established a very credible Military Recruitment Program which assists veterans with gaining employment."

Follow Spin for a Veteran on Facebook for updates on future events. CP wants to be the employer of choice for military veterans. Visit https://www.cpr.ca/veterans for more.

About Homes for Heroes
Homes for Heroes Foundation is a registered charity with the goal to build tiny-home villages in all major cities across Canada. In order to be successful, Homes for Heroes is looking for further financial support and land donations. To learn more and support Homes for Heroes visit https://homesforheroesfoundation.ca/  

About Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to major ports on the west and east coasts. CP provides North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of CP.

SOURCE Canadian Pacific

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