The Vimy Foundation Announces the recipients of the 2025 Vimy Pilgrimage Award | News

March 20, 2025 – The Vimy Foundation

The Vimy Foundation is proud to announce the youth recipients selected to participate in the 2025 Vimy Pilgrimage Award. This prestigious educational program provides Canadian youth, ages 15 to 17, with the opportunity to explore historic sites and participate in the annual Vimy Pilgrimage, which brings Canadians to France to pay their respects at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial.

From April 3 to April 10, the selected students will travel across France and Belgium, visiting key First World War sites, museums, cemeteries, and battlefields, including Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial and the In Flanders Fields Museum. Throughout this immersive program, students will engage deeply with history and gain a greater understanding of its lasting impact.

This program not only fosters historical awareness but also equips students with transferable skills and unique perspectives that will serve them in their future endeavors.

The Vimy Foundation extends its gratitude to The Estate of Mildred and Tom Irvine, The Jon and Nancy Love Fund at The Toronto Foundation, The Whitmer Trudel Charitable Foundation, The Jaclyn Rosevear Fund at The Fiera Capital Foundation, The Peter Cundill Foundation, The MacDonald Stewart Foundation, and other generous supporters for making this experience possible. We also thank our travel partners: the Randhawa Group, Ellison Travel & Tours, and Aeroplan.

Meet the 2025 Vimy Pilgrimage Award Recipients

About the Vimy Pilgrimage Award Program

The Vimy Pilgrimage Award is a rigorous and comprehensive initiative designed to educate youth about the pivotal moments of the First World War. Participants are selected through a competitive application process that assesses their academic engagement and community involvement. The selection criteria include:

Community Contributions: Demonstrating volunteerism and service to their communities.
Essay: Exploring the experiences of those who served for Canada during the First World War.
Personal Statement Video: Explaining the importance of learning about the First World War, how they can promote awareness in their communities, what they hope to gain from the program, and what they can contribute.
Resume: Highlighting relevant experiences such as volunteer work, projects, community involvement, and awards.
Letter of Reference: A recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or community leader.

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This handcrafted pin dish, created exclusively for the Vimy Foundation, features the image of a poppy—an enduring symbol of remembrance. Designed and hand-thrown by acclaimed Canadian sculptor Christian Corbet, each ceramic piece is a limited edition. Ideal for holding pins, jewelry, or small keepsakes, the dish is both functional and commemorative. A meaningful addition to any collection, it pays tribute to the legacy of those who served. Hand-thrown ceramic Features original poppy design by Christian Corbet Approximately 8.5 cm wide Made in Canada Limited edition

Limited Edition Poppy Pin Dish by Christian Corbet

$ 60.00

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⚠️ Please note: This item is not sold or shipped by the Vimy Foundation and is only available through the Gentleman Rogue website. 👉 Please visit their site to purchase directly from Gentleman Rogue. https://gentlemanrogue.ca/collections/rogue-defender-1/Pocket-Squares This elegant silk scarf from Gentleman Rogue’s Rogue Defender Series pays tribute to the courage and legacy of those who fought at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Designed with the colours of the four Canadian divisions that served together for the first time during the 1917 offensive, the scarf blends historical symbolism with timeless style. 100% Silk
Part of the Rogue Defender Series
20% of proceeds from this item are donated directly to the Vimy Foundation

Gentleman Rogue Silk Scarf – Rogue Defender Series

$ 0.00

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Dogs have been used in war for centuries worldwide. Their duties have ranged from pulling carts, sentries, scouts, messengers, as mascots, rat catchers in the trenches, search and rescue, bomb detectors and first aid dogs. Countless stories of incredible heroic acts performed by these animals have been told throughout the First World War and beyond. Dogs continue to be put to work in military service to this day as their role expands to include service animals for veterans. The Vimy Foundation partnered with Dog Hair INCluded (Montreal) to design these quality and durable bandanas featuring our Vimy Plaid. Honor those four-legged friends who also helped shape our history with this rugged and stylish pet bandana.

Vimy Foundation Pet Bandana

$ 22.00