Philanthropy and community support have been core values of our company since its founding in 1983. Our founder, Chris Ecklund, has a long history of philanthropic activities across Canada and internationally. While we have often been quiet about this work, we are proud to share some of the initiatives that our company and its people have been involved in.
Founder of the Canadian Heroes Foundation
For over 15 years, our founder, Chris Ecklund, has been the driving force behind the Canadian Heroes Foundation, a nationally recognized organization dedicated to honouring our soldiers, veterans, and first responders. The foundation is known for its incredible cross-country tours with tribute vehicles, raising awareness and showing gratitude for the sacrifices made by our uniformed heroes and their families.
Decades of Support for Canada’s Legal Community
Since our inception in the early 1980s, we have held an unwavering commitment to supporting the justice community. Our founder and president has answered the call for sponsorship from provincial bar associations across the country, from individual city bar associations like those in London and Hamilton, to the national Canadian Bar Association (CBA). Over the decades, we have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in these sponsorships. We can confidently say that no process serving company in the history of Canada has stepped up to support the legal community like we have, and we are immensely proud of that legacy.
Major International Operations
In recent years, our focus has expanded to major international aid and resettlement operations, leveraging our logistical expertise to make a difference on a global scale.
Operation Stand With Ukraine (2022 – Present)
In response to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, we launched “Operation Stand With Ukraine” to provide direct support and aid to the Ukrainian people. For his unwavering efforts, our founder, Chris Ecklund, was officially sanctioned by Russian President Vladimir Putin, a distinction one provincial Premier said was like “a badge of honour.”
Operation Blue Jay (2021 – Present)
“Operation Blue Jay” is one of the largest philanthropic initiatives our company has ever undertaken. The mission began as an effort to evacuate those who helped Canadian forces in Afghanistan. It has since evolved into a complex resettlement operation, helping Afghan families start new lives in safety. The work continues.
A Timeline of Community & Historical Initiatives
Ontario’s Legal Community Support
In the past, our founder, Chris Ecklund, was instrumental in building the website and championing the Ontario Bar Association’s lawyer assistance program (now MAP). At a time when issues like substance abuse and mental health were hidden in the shadows, he worked to bring the program into the light, giving it a much-needed shot in the arm and ensuring legal professionals had a place to turn for confidential help.
The City of Waterfalls Initiative
In our head office’s hometown, we are proud to be the founders of the City of Waterfalls initiative. This massive volunteer project changed the face of Hamilton forever by cleaning up, promoting, and illuminating many of the city’s 100+ waterfalls.
2024: Supporting Education in Afghanistan
We are proud to be working on a project to support four schools in Afghanistan, including an all-girls school. Our work involves providing essential supplies and assisting with the construction of new facilities for female students.
2021: Honouring Our Heroes
We were proud to make a $20,000 donation to fund the creation of a new book honouring the fallen heroes of Norfolk County from World War II. Learn more about this project here.
2020: Supporting Fire Victims
After a devastating fire, we provided donations to the Edenrock fire victims, including providing new bicycles for some of the children affected. Read the story here.
The Late 20th Century: Foundational Work
Our commitment to stepping up during times of need was solidified by our involvement in two major crises:
- The 1999 Kosovo Crisis: When over 1,000 Kosovar Albanian refugees arrived in Hamilton, our founder became a key figure in the resettlement efforts, a five-year commitment that involved personally sponsoring four families and assisting hundreds more.
- The 1998 Ice Storm: During the historic ice storm that devastated Eastern Canada, our company was involved in critical support and logistical operations.
