The Military Police Fund for Blind Children (MPFBC) is one of the preferred means Canadian Forces (CF) members and their families have chosen since 1957 to show their appreciation for the healthy life they enjoy by giving to less fortunate people.

The year 2007 was no exception. For the fifth year in a row, CANEX and the MPFBC partnered for the Trim our Tree for a Toonie campaign, which ran on bases, wings and units from November 14, 2007 until Christmas. During the campaign, people were invited to buy paper ornaments, write their names on them and place them on Christmas trees in all CANEX locations.  Mr. Gerry Mahon, President of CANEX/NATEX, says “CANEX has a long tradition of contributing to the MPFBC. Once again, the generosity of the CF community helped raised $6,000 during the Trim Our Tree for a Toonie 2007campaign.”  

“CANEX is one of the major partners that support the MPFBC”, says Lieutenant-Colonel G.M. Sansterre, MPFBC’s Chairperson. “CANEX’s contribution is significant. Not only did they help raise a total of $30,000 in the last five years, they also provided the MPFBC with great visibility on bases, wings and units, thus contributing to the success of local fundraising activities throughout the year.”, continues LCol Sansterre.

(from left to right) CPO2 C. Shaw, MPFBC Vice-Chair and LCol G.M. Sansterre, MPFBC Chairperson, receive a cheque of $6,000 from Gerry Mahon, CANEX/NATEX President, and Mac McMillan, CANEX Vice-President.
Photo credit:Michael Leahy, Senior Designer CANEX

Each year, volunteers of the MPFBC, the CF Military Police, raise an average of $200,000 to help 150 to 250 blind children. The MPFBC specializes in assisting visually impaired children up to the age of 21. The fund is operated entirely by Military Police volunteers and has no paid employees. Every CF establishment has a local representative. All funds raised are used to benefit visually impaired children.

The MPFBC was created to enhance the quality of life and improve self-confidence of young people living with visual impairments through the provision of equipment, computers, and grants for field trips, summer camps and more.

All Military Police and its partners are extremely proud of the Fund and its history. Colonel J. R. Stone, CM, DSO, MC, CD, was the founder of the MPFBC.  Col Stone was the Canadian Army Provost Marshal (Military Police) when his daughter Moira was afflicted with cancer of the eye, resulting in sudden blindness and subsequently death.  During his daughter's illness, Colonel Stone came into contact with organizations that were struggling to help blind children. He became aware that there were many other blind children less fortunate than his daughter who were unable, through lack of money, to enjoy some of the simpler things in life. Their plight affected him tremendously and he was determined to help them in every way he could.  He canvassed members of the Military Police, asking them to voluntarily contribute one or two dollars per year and using their donations, established a Fund to help blind children.

The MPFBC is an activity that continues to proudly promote the involvement of military police in the community, and volunteers from the CF Military Police continue to exercise stewardship in the Fund’s continued success.

For more information or to donate to the MPFBC, please visit www.mpfbc.com.