Military veteran giving back to soldiers

I wanted to share with everyone a project started by a good friend of mine Chris Dupee. I met Chris a few years ago through my thankasoldier.net website and when I heard he was going on a tour of duty to Afghanistan I sent out an email at work and quickly people began dropping off items to my desk to send over. Although I have never met Chris in person, I support his project 100% and wanted to share with you his new YouTube video for his project and write up which was featured in the York Region Newspaper.

Military veteran giving back to soldiers
By Teresa Latchford

November 8, 2011 Credit - YorkRegion.com

Cpl. Chris Dupee is giving back to the community when he’s not serving his country.
The Huron Heights Secondary School graduate has served a tour in Afghanistan and is currently posted with a reserve unit in Toronto. While he can’t pinpoint the reason why he wanted to become a soldier, he has always felt compelled to do as much as he can for his community and his country. 

After returning from his seven-month tour,  he was struck by the struggle of a new generation of veterans to find employment.

That laid the groundwork for his company Military Minds — a GTA powerwashing firm staffed exclusivley with former military personnel.

“I wanted to do something to help,” he said.
Mr. Dupee also donates 10 per cent of company revenues to the Canadian Hero Fund. The charitable organization supports military personnel and their families, including the construction and dedication of memorials and providing scholarships to children and spouses of fallen Canadian soldiers.

“I want to ensure everything is being done so the legend of these soldiers, and what they gave, lives on,” he said, explaining how his friend Pte. Kevin Kennedy, who was killed by a roadside-bomb explosion near Kandahar City in 2007, continues to be his driving force.
He also organizes charity events to raise funds for the organization, the first of which was held on Main Street in Newmarket this summer. The car wash raised $1,200 for the fund. Cpl. Dupee was so energized by the success of the first event that he decided to organize a larger event Nov. 26 at Dub Linn Gate in Vaughan.

“This is just the beginning of many,” he said. “If I can make the smallest difference in someone’s life, it’s all worth it.”

The evening, Military Minds Round 2, starts at 5 p.m. with an appearance by world- class arm wrestling champion Ian Carnegie. Patrons can challenge him to a match by making a donation to the cause.

The rest of the night will consist of an auction and live entertainment, including performances by country singer Julian Austin, the band No Duff and guest DJs.

“Sponsors have also bought tables for soldiers to attend the event and they will be picked up in a limo,” he said. “They will have a great night of fun.”  Aurora resident Chris MacDonald of CMac Designs is donating his time to market the event and said he has nothing but respect and love for people like Cpl. Dupee.

“I have lost a cousin, too,” he said. “He is a great guy and it’s inspiring to see what he is doing.”
He thinks the efforts are not just for the soldiers and veterans. He admires Cpl. Dupee for attempting to raise awareness of what is happening right now to youths who are close to home.
“I felt I should help this way since I can’t do what Cpl. Dupee and other soldiers have done for our rights and freedoms,” he said. “Through him, I am still contributing. He is a hero in so many ways.”