RCMP Veterans’ Association – Vancouver
Attn: President / Secretary
Vancouver BC
August 31st, 2020
RE: 2020 Adrian Oliver Memorial Run for Honour House
Dear President / Secretary,
They were there for us, so let’s be there for them! The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our lives in unthinkable ways. Despite the chaotic past few months, Canadians were comforted by the fact that military personnel and first responders remained vigilant and stood watch over our country and communities. With this in mind, we are writing to seek the RCMP Veterans’ Association – Vancouver support for a worthy cause that provides assistance to military personnel, first responders, veterans and their families in their time of need.
In November 2012, Constable Adrian Oliver, a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, was killed in the line of duty in Surrey, BC. In the difficult days that followed his death, Honour House opened its doors to the Oliver family as they travelled to the Vancouver area from across Canada.
In November 2013, in partnership with Honour House Society and Burnaby RCMP, Adrian’s family and friends organized the first Adrian Oliver Memorial Run in recognition of his dedicated service and to commemorate and honour all first responders who have perished in the line of duty.
Given its success, the Adrian Oliver Memorial Run has now become an annual event. All proceeds from the memorial run are donated to Honour House Society – a non-profit charitable organization located in the heart of New Westminster, BC. Honour House provides a “home away from home” and a place of recovery specifically for military personnel and first responders while they are receiving medical care or coping with a sudden tragedy. Since its opening, Honour House has provided over 10,000 nights of accommodation. More recently, Honour House established Honour Ranch in Ashcroft, BC. The Ranch will soon offer a range of tailored, on-site therapies for its guests who may be suffering from PTSD or other mental illnesses. The Ranch will also help reduce the stigma associated with mental disorders that often hinders people from seeking treatment.
Honour House depends entirely on donations and sponsorships to allow it to continue providing essential services to Canadian heroes and their families throughout British Columbia. To date, the Memorial Run has raised over $230,000 for this important charity.
This year, the eight annual Adrian Oliver Memorial Run is going VIRTUAL because of the global pandemic. It will be held over the weekend of October 17-18 and runners from across Canada are anticipated. A virtual official launch will be held on October 17 followed by livestreaming runners from select locations from across Canada. Leveraging technology, this year’s virtual run is designed to give runners as realistic of a race experience as the “in-person” event. Additionally, our goal is the expand our social media activities to increase participation and to raise awareness about the supportive services offered by Honour House to military personnel and first responders.
As a direct beneficiary of the Honour House services, the organizing committee would be delighted to have members and employees of the RCMP Veterans’ Association – Vancouver participate in the 2020 Adrian Oliver Memorial Run. There are multiple ways for your organization to contribute:
• Make a donation on behalf of your organization;
• Register a team to compete for the team trophy;
• Encourage your members/staff to register as individuals for the run and/or make a personal donation; and
• Regularly promote Honour House and its services
We hope that the RCMP Veterans’ Association – Vancouver will consider being an important partner in expanding Honour House’s vision to other regions of Canada and maintaining a living memorial to military personnel and first responders – past, present and future. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to communicate with us or Craig Longstaff, General Manager, Honour House (phone:778-397-4399, email: craig@honourhouse.ca).
Thanks for considering this request. Stay safe and healthy,
Joe Oliver
Ph: 613-698-5030
E-mail: joe.oliver@rogers.com
Honour House Society CRA Registration Number: 842367294RR0001