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WAYS WE HELP

The War Amps provides amputees with financial assistance for artificial limbs and information resources that address all aspects of amputation.

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PLAYSAFE™

PLAYSAFE: Don’t Let It Happen to You is a valuable resource for families, educators and community groups.

See More PLAYSAFE Videos

The PLAYSAFE Program is a unique “kids-to-kids” approach to child safety. The purpose? To make children more aware of the dangers in their play environment.

The War Amps believes that no one is better qualified to deliver the PLAYSAFE message than members of the Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program, many of whom have lost limbs in accidents while at play. By giving presentations to schools and community groups, hosting displays at safety and community events, riding on board The War Amps PLAYSAFE parade float and appearing in videos and public service announcements, these Safety Ambassadors warn other children to: “Spot the danger before you play! PLAYSAFE!”

“Safety is no accident – PLAYSAFE!”

PLAYSAFE: Don’t Let It Happen to You is a valuable resource for families, educators and community groups.

See More PLAYSAFE Videos

Presentations and Displays

Contact Us

If you would like to arrange a presentation, display or Safety Blitz, please contact us!

We can also provide free resources, bookmarks, stickers and videos.
champ@waramps.ca
1 800 267-4023

CHAMP Safety Ambassadors help spread the PLAYSAFE message to other kids by giving presentations to schools and community groups. PLAYSAFE presentations can be tailored to suit different age groups and include a safety video, interactive safety activities and an engaging discussion of potential dangers children may encounter.

Safety Ambassadors may also be available to host PLAYSAFE displays at safety and family-oriented community events!

“Having Champ Tyler here for our Kids Safety Day was a real gift. His story touched everyone. He has made a difference in the young lives of those he met.”Safety Day Event Staff

Contact Us

If you would like to arrange a presentation, display or Safety Blitz, please contact us!

We can also provide free resources, bookmarks, stickers and videos.
champ@waramps.ca
1 800 267-4023

Safety Blitzes

Safety Blitzes

Co-ordinated in conjunction with local police, safety blitzes are a targeted approach to increasing awareness among children of the potential hazards in their communities. With the common goal of child safety, War Amps representatives and local police work together over the course of a few days to deliver the PLAYSAFE message to as many regional schools as possible.

SAFETY WALK™

To avoid danger, children must first learn to recognize it. Taking a SAFETY WALK makes young children aware of hazards in their neighbourhoods. The War Amps encourages adults to lead walks through their communities, pointing out to children the potential dangers along the way. By taking the time to look at familiar surroundings from a child’s point of view, adults can teach children how to recognize danger to avoid accidents and injury.

To get started on your own SAFETY WALK, print off these resources.

Free PLAYSAFE kits, which include SAFETY WALK resources, brochures, stickers and more, can also be mailed upon request.
champ@waramps.ca
1 800 267-4023

Parades

The War Amps participates in parades across the country, reaching thousands of spectators with the safety message. The award-winning PLAYSAFE/DRIVESAFE float sports eye-catching displays featuring “mean machines,” such as lawn mowers, farm equipment and trains, to warn children of the dangers around them. CHAMP Ambassadors accompanying the float pass along an important message to kids – safety is no accident!

Due to public health guidelines regarding COVID-19 and the varying circumstances from province to province, The War Amps will not be participating in parades until it is safe to do so.

Select a region to find out when the PLAYSAFE/DRIVESAFE float is coming to your community!

map British Columbia Western Manitoba Ontario Quebec Atlantic

British Columbia | Western | Manitoba | Ontario | Quebec | Atlantic

British Columbia Parades

Victoria Day Parade (Victoria, BC)
Monday, May 18 – cancelled

Hyack International Parade (New Westminster, BC)
Saturday, May 23 – cancelled

Steveston Salmon Festival - Canada Day Parade (Richmond, BC)
Wednesday, July 1 – cancelled

Peach Festival - Peter Brothers Grand Parade (Penticton, BC)
Saturday, August 8 – cancelled

Vancouver Santa Claus Parade (Vancouver, BC)
Sunday, December 6

  • Parade dates are subject to change.
  • Due to COVID-19 parades may be cancelled or postponed. Updates will be posted as they become available.

Western Parades

Calgary Stampede Parade (Calgary, AB)
Friday, July 3 – cancelled

Westerner Days Fair & Exposition Parade (Red Deer, AB)
Wednesday, July 15 – cancelled

K-Days Parade (Edmonton, AB)
Friday, July 17 – cancelled

Queen City Ex Parade (Regina, SK)
Tuesday, July 28 – cancelled

  • Parade dates are subject to change.
  • Due to COVID-19 parades may be cancelled or postponed. Updates will be posted as they become available.

Manitoba Parades

Travellers’ Day Parade (Brandon, MB)
Saturday, June 6 – cancelled

Corn & Apple Festival Parade (Morden, MB)
Saturday, August 29 – cancelled

Winnipeg Santa Claus Parade (Winnipeg, MB)
Saturday, November 14

  • Parade dates are subject to change.
  • Due to COVID-19 parades may be cancelled or postponed. Updates will be posted as they become available.

Ontario Parades

Windsor Canada Day Parade (Windsor, ON)
Wednesday, July 1 – cancelled

Niagara Grape & Wine Festival - Meridian Grande Parade (St. Catharines, ON)
Saturday, September 26

Oktoberfest Thanksgiving Day Parade (Kitchener, ON)
Monday, October 12

Barrie Santa Claus Parade (Barrie, ON)
Saturday, November 21

Markham Santa Claus Parade (Markham, ON)
Saturday, November 28

  • Parade dates are subject to change.
  • Due to COVID-19 parades may be cancelled or postponed. Updates will be posted as they become available.

Quebec Parades

Défilé du Festival de la Galette de Sarrasin (Louiseville, QC)
Sunday, October 11 – cancelled

Défilé de Noël (Rivière-du-Loup, QC)
Saturday, November 7

Défilé du père Noël (Montréal, QC)
Saturday, November 14

Help Santa Toy Parade (Ottawa, ON)
Saturday, November 21

Défilé du père Noël (Sherbrooke, QC)
Sunday, November 29

  • Parade dates are subject to change.
  • Due to COVID-19 parades may be cancelled or postponed. Updates will be posted as they become available.

Atlantic Parades

Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival - Grand Street Parade (Kentville, NS)
Saturday, May 30 – cancelled

The Pepsi Natal Day Parade (Halifax, NS)
Monday, August 3 – cancelled

Gold Cup Parade (Charlottetown, PEI)
Friday, August 21

Greater Moncton Santa Claus Parade (Moncton, NB)
Saturday, November 28

  • Parade dates are subject to change.
  • Due to COVID-19 parades may be cancelled or postponed. Updates will be posted as they become available.

PLAYSAFE Videos

Our PLAYSAFE videos are a great way to teach kids that safety is no accident! Child amputees who have lost limbs in accidents explain how their accidents happened and demonstrate the artificial limbs they wear to lead active lives.

These videos are available to download. DVD copies are also available free of charge, upon request.
1 800 267-4023
champ@waramps.ca

PLAYSAFE: Ernie’s Story

Ernie lost his arm in a farm accident. Now, he helps spread the PLAYSAFE message. “Machines might move slow, but accidents happen fast,” he says, reminding other children to spot the danger before they play.

Download

PLAYSAFE: Don’t Let It Happen to You

In this full-length video, eight young amputees share their stories about how they lost their limbs in accidents and warn children to spot the danger before they play.

Download

PLAYSAFE: Stay Away from Lawn Mowers

Neveah, Zoe and Jordan all lost limbs in lawn mower accidents. Now, they warn other kids to spot the danger before they play.

Download

Mean Machines Music Video

This short video, set to a powerful theme song, is a great introduction for children to the “mean machines” like lawn mowers, trains, boats, cars and farm equipment.

Download

Dangers on the Water

This segment from the full-length video focuses on the dangers that can be encountered on and around the water.

Download

Trains Are Mean Machines

This segment from the full-length video focuses on the dangers of trains.

Download

Dangers on the Farm

This segment from the full-length video focuses on the dangers that can be encountered on the farm.

Download

Lawn Mowers Are Mean Machines

This segment from the full-length video focuses on the dangers of lawn mowers.

Download

PLAYSAFE: Darevin’s Story

One day when Darevin was playing, he got too close to a lawn mower and lost his foot. Now, he warns kids to spot the danger before they play so that they won’t have a serious accident like he had.

Download

Teaming Up With the CFL

For more than 35 years, The War Amps and the Canadian Football League (CFL) have shared a special tradition – the annual CFL PLAYSAFE public service announcement (PSA), saluting the League’s support of our “kids-to-kids” safety program.

The tradition goes back to the days when the late Karl Hilzinger was The War Amps CHAMP Sports Consultant. “Karlo” was a CFL all-star who played for the Ottawa Rough Riders in the 1950s. A car accident left him a double-leg amputee.

He became an inspiration to child amputees and was well-known as the silver-suited skier in The War Amps television messages. The War Amps and the CFL have been working together ever since to spread the PLAYSAFE message. The annual PSA, which features a different team every year, airs during CFL game telecasts, including the Grey Cup.

Jed and the Ticats

Losing his leg in a lawn mower accident has given Jed a special interest in spreading The War Amps unique “kids-to-kids” PLAYSAFE message. As National Safety Ambassador for The War Amps, Jed teams up with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 2019 CFL PLAYSAFE public service announcement which salutes the League’s support of the PLAYSAFE Program.

“Whatever game you play, PLAYSAFE!”