Honouring service
and sacrifice
As the largest Veterans’ care facility in Canada, Sunnybrook’s Veterans Centre is home to more than 300 Veterans of the Second World War, the Korean War and the Cold War. The support of our community allows us to offer a variety of programs that keep our Veterans engaged, active and connected.
Your impact at a glance:
Operation Raise a Flag
Since 2010, Sunnybrook's Veterans Centre has marked Remembrance Day by raising a sea of Canadian flags. Every year, hundreds of volunteers have assembled to plant thousands of small Canadian flags outside the Veterans Centre, honouring the legacies of Canadians who have served at home and around the world.
With the support of our dedicated community, Operation Raise a Flag has raised close to $1 million over the years, with more than $264,000 raised in 2020 alone.
Although pandemic safety measures prevented volunteers from gathering in 2020, Operation Raise a Flag proceeded with Sunnybrook staff and members of the Canadian Armed Forces stepping in to raise the flags in time for Remembrance Day, all while observing hand hygiene and physical distancing.
Grant a Wish Program
A cornerstone of the personalized support we provide to every resident at the Veterans Centre, the Grant a Wish Program ensures Veterans can receive up to three wishes in the form of experiences, objects or events that hold special meaning to them.
The program has continued throughout the pandemic, thanks to our donors and community sponsors.
The program has helped one Veteran “see the world” during COVID-19 travel restrictions, says recreational therapy assistant Samantha Findlay. Resident Robert Chartre enjoys watching the news to keep up on global events, then opening his atlas to learn more about the different countries.
As his prized atlas had come apart over the years, Robert made a wish to have it re-bound. “Because of the virus we can’t go out, so it helps me see the world,” says Robert.
