Behind every brave military member who serves our country stands a family who supports them, quietly shouldering sacrifice in the name of our shared freedom. Spouses are often the glue that holds households together through long deployments. Children learn resilience at an early age, as they switch schools, forge new friendships, and adapt to new communities over and over again. Amidst all that transition, it can be difficult to prioritize higher education, not just due to the time involved but the high cost of tuition, living expenses, and materials as well.
These realities deserve more than simple words of gratitude; they deserve tangible support from the community that rallies behind them. Since 2013, Elite Roofing has been committed to making a real difference through corporate support for military scholarships. By partnering with the Support Our Troops National Scholarship Program, we consider it a great honour to invest in post-secondary education opportunities for military family members across Canada.
We are proud to stand behind Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans, and their families as they build lives strengthened by discipline and determination, backed by the power of higher education.
The Personal Connection Behind the Support
Many Canadian military families face a unique set of challenges as part of everyday life including:
- Financial constraints
- Frequent relocations that disrupt education and friendships
- Long deployments that leave one parent in charge of all household responsibilities
- The challenge of pursuing higher education amidst constant transition
- Emotional strain and anxiety tied to military service
At Elite Roofing, we’ve seen firsthand the challenges these families face, something many of us take for granted. Supporting them has become a deeply personal endeavour for us and a mantra we live by: “Help those who help you.”
By offering corporate support for military scholarships, we are doing our part to help military spouses and/or children overcome these obstacles, achieve higher education, and pursue their goals with confidence. While our contribution represents only a small part of a much larger need, we believe meaningful impact begins with action rooted right here in the community.
Established in 2007, Support Our Troops, a program offered through the Canadian Armed Forces, is designed to meet the unique needs and special challenges faced by military family members.
Aligning Values with Action
For us, giving back is not just about charity; it’s an obligation. This guiding principle has been deeply ingrained in us at an early age from our parents and grandparents. Guided by our Jewish heritage, we were taught that between 10 to 20 percent of one’s income should be returned to the community. These principles have shaped our personal and corporate philosophy over the years, making corporate support for military scholarships a natural alignment with our mission.
“As a corporate citizen, it’s our duty to give back to those who help us,” says Howard Glowinsky of Elite Roofing.
While we have lent our support to many meaningful causes over the years, from food banks to local initiatives like Giving Tuesday, scholarships have consistently been a priority for our team.
One of the greatest joys we get out of supporting the scholarship program is connecting with recipients and gaining inspiration from their amazing stories of perseverance despite the many obstacles they face. Our contribution may be a small start, but we hope to work alongside other community supporters to help meet the greater financial obligations that military families need to pursue higher education.
While the program is gaining momentum, the need is still great. We encourage more Canadian business owners and community members to get involved with this initiative. The foundation is there, but broader support is integral to the continued success of the program.
Education as a Tool for Empowerment
Access to higher education is more than a stepping stone; it’s a path to dignity, independence, and self-sufficiency. We believe people feel more empowered and respected when they are not dependent on handouts. “The dignity of the recipient is paramount to us,” says Howard. Scholarships give young people the tools they need to succeed on their own merits, knowing they are competing with other students for the opportunity.
It’s like the old adage: “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”
This hits home with Howard. He shares that mentors and community members provided him with insight and encouragement through challenging times in his own professional life, from starting out as an accountant to joining the family roofing business. That guidance and support and the tradition of giving that was passed down from his parents, in-laws and grandparents shaped the trajectory of his life and taught him the value of giving back.
Paying it forward through the Support Our Troops scholarship program is Elite’s way of turning gratitude into opportunity for military families.
An investment in education is an investment in strengthening communities and empowering the next generation – all while honouring the sacrifices of the brave men and women who protect us every day. We look forward to continuing on this journey for many more years to come, expanding our impact and strengthening the next generation of leaders.
Join Elite Roofing in Supporting Military Families
You don’t have to be a big corporation to make a difference. Every contribution, large and small, can help community members and small businesses show their gratitude for the families who sacrifice so much for our freedom. Donate to Support Our Troops today!
