PHOTO & INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITY - Remembering the Homeless Veteran on November
11 at the Scott Mission

TORONTO, Nov. 8 /CNW/ - On Remembrance Day, The Scott Mission will host the Second Annual Remembrance Day Ceremony in honour of the homeless veteran.

"We are grateful that last years (inaugural) ceremony that drew national media attention to the issue of assisting our veterans who may have trouble integrating back into civilian life and find themselves homeless," stated Peter Duraisami, Chief Executive Officer of The Scott Mission.  "Since last year, great strides have been made through a new partnership between The Royal Canadian Legion and Veterans Affairs Canada to make sure that anyone who has served will be given the assistance they require."

The Leave the Streets Behind program will be piloting in Toronto with a view to rolling out nationally.  The immediate focus of the program is to ensure that clients have their immediate needs met including food, safe shelter and clothing.

This unique ceremony is the only one of its kind and honours all those that have served for our country.  "At this solemn time of the year the Royal Canadian Legion joins all Canadians in mourning the loss of our brave son's and daughter's," shared Ed Pigeau, President of the Royal Canadian Legion (Ontario Command).

Who:
Spokespeople that will be on hand after the ceremony include:

• Mr. Ed Pigeau, President, Royal Canadian Legion (Ontario Command)
• Mr. David Gordon, Executive Director, Royal Canadian Legion (Ontario Command)
• Mr. Joseph Sweeney, (founded the Remembrance Day Ceremony in Honour of the Homeless Veteran), Special Advisor, Royal Canadian Legion and Korean War Veteran
• Rev. Steve Shaw, Chairman of the Board of The Scott Mission
• Dion MacArthur, Outreach Worker, Veterans Affairs Canada
• Peter Duraisami, Chief Executive Officer, The Scott Mission

What: 
The second annual Remembrance Day Ceremony in Honour of the Homeless Veteran. The ceremony will be traditional and include The Queen's Own Rifles, a piper and wreath-laying.

When: 
Media are invited to attend on Thursday, November 11, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. to set up, with ceremony to commence at 12:30 p.m.

Where:
The Scott Mission Main Chapel at 502 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, Ontario (north-west corner of College and Spadina).

The Scott Mission has been responding to the needs of the poor, homeless, abandoned and vulnerable of all ages since 1941 by offering practical, emotional and spiritual support for thousands of people each year. Through its efforts, the Mission, a Christian non-denominational organization based in downtown Toronto, offers many programs to support the poor and homeless in our community.

The Scott Mission offers: hot meals (served twice a day, seven days a week); a low-cost childcare centre; a summer camp and after-school program for children and youth from low-income families; free good-quality clothing; bag lunches; groceries; shower and laundry facilities for the homeless; a 45-bed shelter; and out-of-town retreats for shut-ins.

For further information:

or to confirm your attendance, please contact: