June 6th, 2013
Today during a heartfelt exchange, Commissionaires Ottawa presented The Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre Foundation with a $500,000.00 donation to help finance the Seniors’ Village—affordable housing for seniors and veterans that will offer the independence of apartment living and the security of assisted living beginning in January 2013. This initiative will also help free up hospital beds and long-term care beds for those who need a higher level of care.
Currently under construction at The Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre on Russell Road in Ottawa, the Seniors’ Village will consist of 139 apartments, a multi-purpose celebration room, a fitness centre and a Village Commons. Up to 30% of the apartments will be offered to former members of the Canadian Forces, (Regular Force and Reserve Force).
Capt(N) Paul A. Guindon (Ret’d), a 33-year Navy veteran and CEO at Commissionaires Ottawa, said, “Giving back is ingrained in who we are and what we do. Many commissionaires have served our country as military or RCMP personnel during a first career and now we’re protecting it as security professionals during a second career. Still years away from our own retirement, we’re doing our part to keep our elders safe, comfortable and well cared for. Investing in more independent and assisted living options for veterans is just another way to say thank you to those who have sacrificed so much to protect Canada’s freedom and peaceful way of life.”
LGen Jim Gervais (Ret’d), a 35-year Army veteran and Chairman of Commissionaires Ottawa’s Board of Directors, said, “We’re honoured to support the Seniors’ Village initiative. Since 1939, Commissionaires Ottawa has hired thousands of former military and RCMP veterans, some of whom went on to receive long-term or short-term care at The Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre during their retirement years. For generations, the special bond that serving and retired military personnel share, no matter their age, has been nurtured at The Perley Rideau.”
Guindon added, “Offering more independent or assisted living options to aging veterans is great news for military families and the National Capital Region. Commissionaires Ottawa is proud to be part of the solution and very grateful to The Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre.
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Among the largest private employers in Ottawa with nearly 4,000 employees, Commissionaires Ottawa offers a comprehensive range of digital printing and identification services, by-law enforcement and non-core policing services, security training and security solutions. It is contracted at over 300 private and public sector client sites in the National Capital Region, the Ottawa Valley, throughout Northern Ontario, and also in parts of Northwestern Quebec and Southwestern Ontario. As part of its social mandate, Commissionaires Ottawa has been focused on hiring former and serving military personnel for nearly 75 years. It also hires RCMP veterans and other security-focused citizens of all ages who share a passion to safeguard their fellow Canadians.
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For more information relating to Commissionaires Ottawa, visit www.commissionaires-ottawa.on.ca, or contact:
Andrée Paige, Media Relations
Commissionaires Ottawa
[email protected]
Office: 613-745-2312
Cell: 613-863-1828