Interview – Maxime Pelletier of the War Veterans’ Association – Programs Offered and Fundraising Campaign
Interview – Maxime Pelletier of the War Veterans’ Association – Programs Offered and Fundraising Campaign
The War Amps has launched its 2026 annual keychain campaign, marking the 80th anniversary of this well-known service across the country. Kits are currently being mailed to millions of Canadians, including residents of the Pontiac.
Created in 1946 by amputee veterans, the program aims to safeguard citizens’ keys while supporting programs that assist people with amputations. Each keychain tag has a confidential number linked to the owner’s address. If keys are lost, the person who finds them can call the number provided or drop the keychain in a mailbox anywhere in Canada so that it can be returned to the owner free of charge.
Since its creation, the service has helped return more than 1.5 million lost sets of keys to their owners across the country. Maxime Pelletier is a network specialist and spokesperson for the War Amps. He provides details about the keychain tag program:
“Maxime Pelletier was born with both arms amputated and has been a part of the program ever since. He now works as a network specialist ans spokesperson for the program. He explains that growing up, receiving the help of the program gave him confidence, courage and strategies to complete everyday tasks easier. The program’s goal: make amputee children have the same life as other children by providing families with financial aid when purchasing prosthetics. Maxime shares information on the other programs offered by the association, like ENVOL for children with more than one amputated limb. Maxime also explains how the key tags of this campaign work. On each key tag is written a unique 9 digit code. When the keys are lost and found, the finder can either call the number or drop the keys in a mailbox to send the keychain to The War Amps. They will then contact the person the keychain belongs to and return them. Getting new keys is expensive, so this is a service to the community from the program.”
