The Red Fridays Foundation of Canada & Repatriation Memorial Rally (May 08): Objections & Praise

[johnnycanuck]

army vern
I thought i was quite reserved actually
as someone who is" proud to serve " and has been 20+yrs ,has volunteered for a couple of hospital  drives and been a united way canvasser I have  only come away richer in spirit and pride.Proud of the fact we are a  different breed (no matter our roots)a compassionate nation on the whole and very determined possibly generous too a fault.
But most Canadians are quiet selfless people,eager  volunteers who still believe in 'the golden rule':how many times have you heard "no problem" "too glad to help", "my pleasure", "its the least I could do" or "no thanks,I just wish someone would do the same for me someday" or "we came to help because we know you would if the shoe were on the other foot" even the casual "ahhh no biggie"
Terry Fox and Ric Hansen were no biggies too,THEY WERE GIANTS on the world stage as examples of Canadian determination and selfless acts for the benefit of others and were ambassadors of awareness BUT i don't recall their business registration number!
I have been to many 'Volunteer Appreciation Lunches/Dinners 'over the years and it never fails to  amaze HOW MANY ORDINARY CANADIANS GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY  all walks of life ,colour and creed and what really whacks my mind is the level of envolvement and commitment of our youth,as they follow good examples of true giving(ones time and ones self) they also set the example.
As a first generation Canadian I cannot express my gratitude enough to my  departed parents and this country for the truly rich bounty unto which I was born ,the people the history the geography .
Life is like snooker 'its not what you take ,its what you leave the other guy' its all how you interpret the saying

 

[Harley Sailor]

First off, Johnnycanuck, why is your writing style so much like Afghan dad's

Second, Does the Red Friday Foundation pay the Brian and Brian act? That would explain a whole lot.

 

[Trinity]

First off, Johnnycanuck, why is your writing style so much like Afghan dad's

But totally different position.

If he is the same.. the IP's will show the truth and the Mod's would be/have been all over it.

 

[Harley Sailor]

But totally different position.

If he is the same.. the IP's will show the truth and the Mod's would be/have been all over it.

His first post was, but his second post seems to have changed sides.

As for same IP, I'm sure there more then one computer in the office.

 

[aesop081]

As for same IP, I'm sure there more then one computer in the office.

We're not stupid. We've been at this for a while so we have our tricks.

Milnet.ca staff

 

[johnnycanuck]

ouch !read between the lines it was more about what wasn't said -no mud slinging nothing derogatory just an unspoken comparison

 

[LadySierra]

I can say without a doubt, that JohnnyCanuck is not afghan dad.
I met this gentlemen last weekend in the Durham region while he was out supporting our troops at an event put on by the town of Bowmanville.

If I thought otherwise, I would be the first to say so.

 

[captainj]

To answer the question on do Brian and Brain get paid,  they state no. However as a business those expenses sure can add up. Zero optics on this for 2.5 years.......

 

[armyvern]

ouch !read between the lines it was more about what wasn't said -no mud slinging nothing derogatory just an unspoken comparison

I understood your response.

I should have put a smilie at the end of my ... "So I'll take it you're frustrated eh?"  >

 

[Harley Sailor]

First off, Johnnycanuck, why is your writing style so much like Afghan dad's

Well I'm a big enough donkey to say I'm sorry.  I just found it funny how a new name would show up right after the big discussion about afghan dad, and he would use the same writing style.  No spaces between punctuation and can keep story line straight.  But that must be me reading to much into things.

Again,  :crybaby: I'm sorry  :crybaby:

 

[PMedMoe]

Good info on donating to charities.

Generous but smart - Ask questions about charities

Article Link

There have been a number of terrible disasters around the world recently and it is only natural for caring Canadians to want to donate money to help with the recovery efforts.

In fact, Canadians are a very giving people. According to the most recent statistics from the Canadian Survey of Giving, Participating and Volunteering over 85% of Canadians over 15 years of age made a charitable donation in 2004. These donations equalled almost $9 billion and averaged $400 per donation.

Charitable donations can go a long way to help an organization meet its not-for-profit goals, but just like any other cash outlay, you need to do your homework before you hand over your hard-earned cash.

More on link

 

[johnnycanuck]

harley sailor ..no prob bud "crusty luddites and keyboards are a bad mix" but i get by somehow lol

 

[captainj]

Folks the following is out of the Scugog Standard 30 May 2008 by the editor Rik Davies

I'm seeing red on this one!

When one sees the repatriation ceremonies at Trenton air base it is hard not to want to rush forward and help in any way possible. When we watch the metal caskets of the Canadian war dead pass the grieving eyes of their loved ones and see the stoic faces of those watching from bridges on the 401 you just want to do something.

Two women near Petawawa with close ties to those who serve began Red Fridays. It was a simple plan asking those who support our troops to wear red each Friday as a show of their support.

So Lisa Millar and Karen Boire were more than surprised when they discovered that a fellow from Ajax, Ontario, had registered the Red Fridays Foundation. It appears, from its web site, to be a not-for-profit business that sells 'support the troops' paraphernalia and is behind a May 31 memorial drive that will see 83 red vehicles (one for each of the soldiers lost in Afghanistan) drive to Toronto on the 401 Highway of Heroes where a fundraising event will be held. Now let me be clear on this. Not-for-profit businesses that raise funds for charitable causes are legal under Canadian law but.... Isn't there always a but? The Red Fridays Foundation appears so far to have donated only $1,000 to the Canadian Forces Personal Support Agency and, according to Department of National Defence spokespeople, the DND is in no hurry to be affiliated with this group.

When several members of the media from Toronto to Trenton began working this story some things sort of jumped out at the reporters involved.

* The Red Fridays Foundation takes some of the funds donated to cover internal costs and expenses.

* If you truly want to support our troops and assist our wounded men and their families you only need look up The Wounded Warriors on the Internet or drop in to your local Legion chapter and be assured that every single penny you drop will fall directly into the hands of the people who need it.

* Groups like the Trenton Military Family Resource Centre are taking exception to the Red Fridays Foundation and if you intend to support such groups you are well within your rights to ask to see the books to assure yourself you are doing the right thing.

The issue to those who are concerned is whether the Red Fridays Foundation is commercially exploiting the deaths of good Canadians. If any element of the money received by it is going to someone's personal benefit directly or indirectly, it is doing something despicable in the eyes of those who honour the fallen and maybe in your eyes as well. And so, inquire as to what monies the Red Fridays Foundation deducts from what it might get from you as a donation before it gives it to where you thought it should go. Then you can decide for yourself if the foundation is conferring any advantage on anyone who doesn't deserve it in your eyes. Don't assume anything.

We must always honour these great Canadians who have given their lives so that we can have a stronger and better future. We must never let anyone cash in on the pain of their loss.

The last mention of this by me is of a purely personal nature. This foundation has a vehicle donated by a car dealership that has the names of our war dead plastered across the side of it like a rolling tombstone.

My surname is carved into the side of the Vimy Memorial. Were that name to appear on the side of a car in the way presented above I believe I would do whatever possible to remove it.

See you in Clarington on Saturday!

 

[captainj]

Read below thread more evidence of half truths and  deliberate misinformation.

"Event organizer Brian Muntz has said he will remove names from the car if families request it".

Yeh they sure kept their word when it came to Kerry Arnold NOT!!!!!!!

Time that car was taken off the road. These chaps that are the Red Fridays Foundation have no honour and certainly zero courage. BTW Red Fridays Foundation as a troop you claim to support I will take a pass, your support is not welcome nor asked for. I have no doubt that these jackals will soon announce  handing over a cheque to the Cdn Hearing Society guess what it is only because their feet are being held to the fire. What  about the 2.5 years of sales and cash business?


Local organizers defend Red Fridays Rally

Huge highway procession, ceremony to honour troops goes Saturday
Wed May 28, 2008

Font    By Jillian Follert
Other Stories by this Author
   


DURHAM -- A massive event to commemorate Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan is scheduled to hit the streets this Saturday but organizers aren't getting the kind of publicity they had hoped for.
Brian Wilkins, the Durham Region spokesman for the Red Fridays Foundation, has been fielding calls and speaking on GTA radio stations this week, trying to combat negative allegations about the Red Fridays Rally.

The event will see hundreds of cars travel the Highway of Heroes from Trenton to Toronto, ending with a ceremony at Downsview Park.

The procession will include 83 red vehicles, one for every soldier who has died in Afghanistan, and will be led by a donated Dodge Magnum rally car painted with the name of each fallen soldier.

At issue are complaints from the original founders of the Red Fridays movement -- which encourages Canadians to wear red on Fridays as a show of support for the troops -- who say the rally organizers didn't have permission to put the names of the soldiers on the lead car and that the Red Fridays Foundation is not a registered charity.

Mr. Wilkins said the concerns stem from misunderstandings and is distraught by widespread media coverage questioning the motives of the event.

"It's discouraging. We just wanted to do something to show our troops we're behind them," said Mr. Wilkins, an Oshawa resident who spent six months driving a fuel truck on the Canadian Forces base in Kandahar.

He said the names of the fallen soldiers on the car are not intended to be an advertisement, partisan political statement or anything other than a simple tribute done with the best of intentions.

Regardless, reports in the Toronto media have quoted relatives of fallen soldiers saying they want nothing to do with the rally, and want their loved ones names taken off the car.

Event organizer Brian Muntz has said he will remove names from the car if families request it.

On the topic of fundraising, Mr. Wilkins confirmed the Red Fridays Foundation is not a registered charity -- a fact that is published on the Red Fridays website.

He said this was done intentionally because Canadian law precludes registered charities from donating to other registered charities.

The foundation plans to donate proceeds from Saturday's rally to four charities: the Canadian Hearing Society (which supplies vets with TTY phones), Friends of Veterans Canada, Tony Stacey Centre for Veterans Care and the Troop Morale Fund sponsored by the Royal Canadian Legion.

"We are a non-profit group, we aren't making any money from this at all," Mr. Wilkins said.

He encouraged people who are uncomfortable donating to the foundation to donate directly to one of the above listed charities or to simply attend the rally without making a donation or collecting pledges.

"The main goal of this is just to show support for our soldiers over there, to have lots of people come out and take that message to Afghanistan," he said.

So far, Mr. Wilkins said the foundation has raised about $11,000 and has spent $7,500 on costs for the rally, like lighting, a stage and gas for the lead car.

Bowmanville resident Paul Caswell doesn't see any problem with the event.

In fact, the father of local fallen soldier Darryl Caswell will be driving one of the 83 red cars at the front of the procession.

"I don't have any concerns at all, I think this is a great thing," he said.

The rally starts at noon on May 31 at Centennial Park in Trenton. The main procession will be released from the park at 3 p.m. and travel to Downsview Park in Toronto, where a ceremony will be held. OPP, local police and Canadian Army Veteran Riders will escort the procession along the route.

For more information or to register visit www.redfridays.ca.

 

[Agent13]

The last mention of this by me is of a purely personal nature. This foundation has a vehicle donated by a car dealership that has the names of our war dead plastered across the side of it like a rolling tombstone.

My surname is carved into the side of the Vimy Memorial. Were that name to appear on the side of a car in the way presented above I believe I would do whatever possible to remove it.

I participated last week as one of the 83 drivers. I intentionally did not take any pictures of the Red Fridays car. For me it was a matter of respect after reading about what some of the members of this Forum felt about it and had written. I also have asked my Father about inquiring and any use of my Grandfather's name in the past when we were trying to find out exactly what had happened to him in Dec of 44. Again, it was a matter of respect, and not wanting to do anything against the wishes of my Dad.
Everyone grieves differently. When I lost my Mother 4 years ago, I really did not want to see pictures or her name for a time after the funeral. It's just the way I handled it, and I didn't need any reminders of how I was feeling about her being gone, so I totally understand why someone would not want the name of their loved one on anything that they were not comfortable with or support.
I don't know anything more today about Red Fridays than I did last Sat, all I know is I participated for my own reasons, and I wish I could have been outside of CFB Trenton this afternoon to pay my respects to Capt Leary & his family. RIP  

 

[captainj]

This is really quite a shell game now the founder states they are in the process of registering as a not-for-profit-organization. Now i am confused they have clearly stated they are a non-for-profit-organization on their web site and quoted by several media sources. What is the truth I wonder????

"However, Muntz' company is not a registered charity although he is now in the process of registering as a not-for-profit organization'.

Again i am confused these folks have been in the T Shirt business since day one, at times it is hard to keep your eye on the ball. Given that they were not giving any product away and the prices they charge (all cash business I might add) what else did you intend to do but raise funds. The question that begs to be asked is where is all that cash?

"He told CTV Toronto he didn't register as a charity in the first place because he never intended to raise funds".


Controversy haunts red rally campaign for troops
Updated: Sun Jun. 01 2008 9:49:02 PM

ctvtoronto.ca

The Red Rally parade in support of Canadian troops was a success Saturday but the controversy surrounding the event left some people feeling uneasy.

Karen Boire and Lisa Miller, of Petawawa, Ont., were involved in the Red Fridays Campaign in 2006 and took part in a similar event in Ottawa last year.

Their goal was to help organize events that would show how much Canadians appreciate and support the country's troops.

Their events haven't needed donations but the private company behind this year's rally has been accepting donations.

"Our first priority was to gain support solely for our Canadian Forces members and their families by wearing red on Fridays," Boire said in a telephone interview from home with CTV Toronto. "It was never about money."

Brian Muntz, the owner of Red Fridays Foundation of Canada, said the only reason he's accepting donations is because people keep asking if they can donate.

He said the only reason he set up his company was to provide rally organizers across Canada with a way to communicate with each other and coordinate each others' events.

"I started accepting some donations and started building up ways to help out and checked out if there are other places I can make donations to," he said.

However, Muntz' company is not a registered charity although he is now in the process of registering as a not-for-profit organization.

He told CTV Toronto he didn't register as a charity in the first place because he never intended to raise funds.

"Maybe it could have been done differently," he said. "Maybe it would have been better as a charity."

With a report from CTV Toronto's Galit Solomon

 

 

[johnnycanuck]

my gran(aunts & mother) wasn't monetarily re-imbursed  for knitting socks and mittens and balaclavas for 'the boys'
my mother recieved no stipend for counting livestock being put to pasture before school and then counting a different  field coming out of the field after school(rustlers and black marketeers-so making money of the sacrifice of others is nothing new)
paper drives bottle drives scrap metal drives were manned by volunteers young and old
people weren't paid and didn't ask to be for putting together care packages or performing at local bond drives
THEY GAVE THEIR TIME AND WHATEVER ELSE THEY COULD BECAUSE THEY FELT IT WAS THEIR CIVIC DUTY...another time you say,
WELL, Sat Mat 31 at the Clarington Red Rally on VOLUNTEER'S ROW several organization and service groups  and individuals were present from high school students to senior citizens all giving their time to promote the welfare of OUR TROOPS ie.The Rose of Durham who have sent  over !0,000 coffees (certificates) to OUR BOYS &GIRLS, Mrs Cushman,mother of Tpr Caswell;God Bless,has sent over enough flavour crystals to spice up over 350,000 litres of what the Engineers try to pass off as water.
Several serving members, Afghan Vets  gave up their day off  to come out to support those who support them.
When asked why do I volunteer for my MFRC I tell people ITS THE LEAST I CAN DO BEING STUCK HERE IN CANADA INSTEAD OF KHANDAHAR...and their little hamster takes off at warp speed..hhmm "never looked at it that way"
WHATS MY PAYOFF usually the smile on the faces of the public SHOWING THEIR PRIDE IN MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND KNOWING THEIR HARD EARNED DOLLARS ARE GOING TO A LEGITIMATE RESOURCE BENIFITTING THOSE INTENDED
it might be none of my business and maybe i shouldn't be sticking my nose in somebody elses business but somebody elses BUSINESS  shouldn't be  IN BUSINESS supporting my brothers and sisters !LIKE OUR SERVICE  it should be of their own free will, for personal fullfillment  and satisfaction not for personal gain or profit
ps i hope my prose and punctuation are up to standard...always seeking continual improvement
pps for those who have trouble assessing my fall of shot... intended tgt...RFFC