The War Amps Key Tag Service is celebrating 75 years of returning lost keys to their owners, and they are just as important as ever says a Chilliwack amputee.
Donations to the service provide vital support to amputees across the country including 20-year-old Stefanie de Koning.
De Koning is a left foot amputee who grew up with The War Amps Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program, which provides financial assistance for artificial limbs and adaptive devices, as well as peer support.
“The War Amps has been there for me since I was very young,” De Koning says. “They have provided financial assistance for my artificial legs over the years and they have encouraged me to do whatever I set my mind to. The Association has instilled a positive attitude in me and has helped make me the person I am today.”
As the Key Tag Service celebrates their 75th anniversary, War Amps is reminded Canadians of its importance and history.
The service was launched in 1946 so that returning war amputee veterans could not only work for competitive wages, but also provide a service to Canadians that would generate funds for the Association’s many programs, including CHAMP. The service continues to employ amputees and people with disabilities, and has returned more than 1.5 million sets of lost keys to their owners.
Each key tag has a confidentially coded number. If you lose your keys, the finder can call the toll-free number on the back of the tag or place them in any mailbox in Canada, and The War Amps will return them to you by courier, free of charge.
The War Amps receives no government grants and its programs are possible through public support of the Key Tag and Address Label Service.
“We’d like to thank the public for helping to make this service a success,” says spokesperson Rob Larman, himself a Graduate of the Association’s Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program. “Your support funds essential programs for children, veterans and all amputees across Canada.”
For more information, or to order key tags, visit waramps.ca or call toll-free 1 800 250-3030.
READ MORE: Missive from a War Amp member 75 years after D-Day
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