National Benefit Authority presents $150,000 cheque to True Patriot Love Foundation to benefit Canadian Military Families with Children with Special Needs

TORONTO, Aug. 4, 2015 /CNW/ - The National Benefit Authority (NBA) presented a multi-year gift of $150,000 to the True Patriot Love Foundation (TPL), earlier today at the Toronto Military Family Resource Centre (Toronto MFRC).

The funds will be used to benefit Canadian Military families with children with special needs, to provide financial relief for various required processes, such as tutoring, necessary assessments, respite care and essential therapies such as speech, visual and behavioural therapy.

A portion of the donation was directly disbursed to the Toronto MFRC to support its Casual Care Program. The amount disbursed will cover the cost of 2 spots within the Casual Care Program, 1 day per week for one year, for children with complex special needs. The remaining amount given to TPL from the NBA will be disbursed across Canada to support Military families with children with special needs in order to address a backlog of funding requests in 2015.

"Military families who move frequently are impacted greatly from both an emotional and financial perspective," said Bronwen Evans, President, True Patriot Love Foundation. "Frequently moving location affects children and families in a variety of capacities, including increased costs for therapies for children with special needs, tutoring for children who have to adjust to new curriculum, and the anxieties of having to make friends in a new community."

Akiva Medjuck, Founder and CEO of The National Benefit Authority, spoke about the new partnership, "As soon as we were introduced to these two phenomenal organizations, something immediately clicked that these were organizations we wanted to support - to assist in our small way - for them to continue the work that they do."

In attendance at the cheque presentation were representatives from True Patriot Love Foundation, the Toronto MFRC and the National Benefit Authority. Jason Kenney, Minister of National Defence, had to decline his acceptance to the event due to the announcement made from Ottawa early Sunday morning.

About True Patriot Love Foundation

True Patriot Love Foundation (TPL) is a national charity that honours the sacrifices of members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans and their families in both times of peace and conflict. TPL funds unique programs and innovative research in the areas of family health and support, physical health and rehabilitation, mental health and wellbeing, and research and innovation. TPL is also committed to changing the conversation about our nation's veterans, hosting multinational symposiums and organizing ambitious global expeditions. Since 2009, True Patriot Love has committed more than $15 million to support military charities and research across Canada.

About National Benefit Authority

The National Benefit Authority (NBA) offers assistance to Canadians with disabilities to receive a Disability Tax Credit from the Canadian Government. NBA specializes in all the processes involved with the Disability Tax Credit applications. NBA clients are Canadian taxpayers who have disabilities that may qualify them to receive substantial refunds through the DTC and other related programs.

About the Toronto MFRC

The Toronto Military Family Resource Centre (TMFRC) is a community based non-profit charitable organization. The goal of the TMFRC is to recognize and foster the unique strengths of families within the military community. The aim is to support military families by providing resources to assist, maintain and enhance their quality of life while living in the Greater Toronto Area. The Casual Care Program is a licensed child care program that is a mandated program for all MFRCs across Canada. It is run year round and is available for children from birth to age 12 years. The MFRC is an inclusive environment and children with special needs are integrated into the casual care program and also a full time child care program.

SOURCE True Patriot Love Foundation

Media Inquiries: Amy Simmonds, Communications Coordinator, True Patriot Love Foundation, [email protected], [phone], @tplfoundation