Media Release: January 30, 2023

8 WING/CFB TRENTON – January 30, 2023 – As Canadians, we have much to celebrate – butter tarts, universal health care, poutine, freedom, and so much more. The Trenton Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) invites the community to celebrate Canada a little early this year with the 16th annual Invisible Ribbon Gala: CANADA on Saturday, May 13, 2023. The Trenton MFRC has launched its fundraising campaign with this year’s theme of ‘Canada’ as a toast to military families from coast to coast.

Our 16th Invisible Ribbon Gala has been three years in the making.  The pandemic impacted our ability to deliver a Gala experience while focusing on the needs of military families.  During the pandemic, military families relocated and experienced operations at the same pace as they did pre-pandemic, the Trenton MFRC focused 100% of its attention in supporting CFB Trenton families. What better way to celebrate and honour military family dedication through the pandemic than the return of the Invisible Ribbon Gala.

The Trenton MFRC has another cause for celebration – the support of a new title sponsor, Dibbits Landscape Supply. Dibbits may be new to the title sponsorship but is certainly not new to the cause being a long-time supporter of military families. “It is easy to forget that being in the military is not simply a career choice, but a way of life,” said Mr. Joe Dibbits.“ At Dibbits, we seek to honour the sacrifices made by those in uniform. We are humbled when we also realize the passion, resilience and encouragement of those at home who stand behind their service members, who love them and can’t wait for their return. Dibbits is honoured to be the title sponsor of this year’s Invisible Ribbon Gala and excited to share in celebrating our extraordinary military families.”

Guests attending the event will have a chance to celebrate their Canadian pride and show their support for military families stationed at CFB Trenton and living in the Quinte region. The National Air Force Museum of Canada will be transformed into some of Canada’s iconic landscapes – the shores of the East Coast, the glaciers of the North, the serene marshlands and golden prairies, and the majestic Rockies in the West. While these scenes celebrate our beautiful country, they are also a tip of the toque to home for military families since many military families resonate with the saying, “home is where the military sends us.” The Invisible Ribbon Gala will include a delicious meal with good ol’ Canuck flair. There will be silent and live auctions, a raffle, and more, all to support our local military families. 

This year’s fundraising focus is something that the Trenton MFRC and military families face on a daily basis – “The Unexpected.”  The last three years have demonstrated to all Canadians how resilient they can be.  A military family’s superpower is navigating the unexpected and celebrating the changes the military lifestyle brings. Responding to the unexpected is a constant.  The last three years have certainly demonstrated our need to be nimble, responsive and courageous.  In order to do that, we need the support of our whole community through partnerships, relationships and fundraising.    

Three years ago, we could not have predicted that military children, along with all Canadian children, would have significant disruptions to their education.  Through a community partnership and the generous donation from our Title Sponsor Dibbits, we were able to provide one-on-one and group tutoring supporting military children dealing with The Unexpected.  The Trenton MFRC wants to continue to have the capacity to respond to The Unexpected as challenges arise, whether they be a global pandemic, deployment or relocation.

For further details on the 16th annual Invisible Ribbon Gala and the Trenton MFRC, please contact Kelsey Stuart to learn more.

Media Contact: Kelsey Stuart, Community Engagement Specialist | kelsey.s@trentonmfrc.ca | 613-392-2811 ext. 3598