Harvey Dann, a beef exporter in Manitoba, will celebrate his 25th year in business in 2010. But instead of the typical anniversary festivities, with a giant cake and candles, the businessman will celebrate by feeding steaks to Canadian soldiers.
Dann and his daughter, Jackie, are leading a campaign called Sponsor a Steak for returning soldiers and their loved ones.
Their goal is to raise enough money in two years to provide 12,000 steaks at military bases across Canada.
“It’s just a little payback. I’ve always had a soft spot for the military people who put their life on the line. And I’m in the beef industry and it was one way of saying thank you to these troops,” said Dann, who owns Alert Agri Distributors in West St. Paul, Man., a company that exports fat cattle to the United States.
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They have raised enough money for base parties in Edmonton and Shilo, Man., scheduled in June.
Dann has already made a donation and his company will cover administration costs for the fundraising effort. For similar events at bases in Gagetown, N.B., Valcartier, Que., and Petawawa, Ont., Dann will need more donations.
The Manitoba Cattle Producers Association is also supporting the cause.Any additional money raised will go toward military benefit funds, including the Wounded Warrior Fund, Support our Troops Fund and the Military Families Fund.
For more information on the campaign, call 800-665-2494.