This year the War Amps Key Tag Service is celebrating 75 years of returning lost keys to their owners. Donations to the Key Tag Service provide vital support to amputees across the country, including 11-year-old Telysha Warkentin of Blumenort, Manitoba.
Telysha was born a left arm amputee. As a member of The War Amps Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program, she eligible for financial assistance for artificial limbs and adaptive devices, as well as peer support.
“The War Amps has helped Telysha to be proud of her amputation,” says Telysha’s mom, Jodi. “She has been fitted with devices so that she can be active and independent. Telysha has also gone to CHAMP seminars where she has met kids just like her and made lots of friends.”
The Key Tag Service was launched in 1946 so that returning war amputee veterans could not only work for competitive wages, but also provide a service to Canadians that would generate funds for the Association’s many programs. The service continues to employ amputees and people with disabilities and has returned more than 1.5 million sets of lost keys to their owners.
Each key tag has a confidentially coded number. If you lose your keys, the finder can call the toll-free number on the back of the tag or place them in any mailbox in Canada, and The War Amps will return them to you by courier, free of charge.
The War Amps receives no government grants and its programs are possible through public support of the Key Tag and Address Label Service.
“We’d like to thank the public for helping to make this service a success,” says spokesperson Rob Larman, himself a Graduate of the CHAMP Program. “Your support funds essential programs for all amputees across Canada, including children and veterans.”
For more information, or to order key tags, visit waramps.ca or call toll-free 1-800-250-3030.
