René Laquerre is nominated for his work and dedication to the Veteran of the community as a member of the Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada (ANAVETS).
As a member of ANAVETS, he has been an integral part of the association's efforts to support Veterans in his community and in particular at the Sunnybrook Hospital. In 2016 he was appointed as the ANAVETS representative for the Sunnybrook Resident Committee. His commitment to Veterans has also led to him accept a position as a volunteer committee member of the ANAVETS Ontario Provincial Command.
He is responsible for planning social events for Veterans at Sunnybrook Hospital including the bi-annual barbecues and bingo games held for approximately 200 Veterans families and the annual Christmas party. For all these events, he coordinates the purchasing food, schedules volunteers, cooks and serves the food, as well organizes games. He also organizes four annual bus trips for Veterans and caregivers to the two ANAVETS units in the Toronto region.
Every January, he puts together care packages for Veterans by making purchases and collecting donations and hand delivers with a team of volunteers to Veterans in and around the greater Toronto area.