Legacy History and Goals

This foundation has been developed to aid the women and children in Afghanistan, and in doing so we will honour all of our soldiers who have served there, especially those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

"Boomer's Legacy" is named in remembrance of Corporal Andrew James Eykelenboom, a Canadian military medic who was killed by a suicide bomber in Spin Boldak, Afghanistan in August 2006 at age 23. While serving in Afghanistan, Andrew (known to his friends as "Boomer") recognized numerous opportunities for assisting the Afghan people through the distribution of medical supplies, educational material, books and warm clothing. In small, personal ways, Boomer and his comrades felt they were able to make a special contribution to bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan. Boomer's Legacy has been created to further these accomplishments.

The funds raised will be used to directly support the people of Afghanistan affected by poverty and war with emphasis on programs and services for women and children. The funds will be expended through Canadian Forces, Task Force Afghanistan using the Assistance to Afghanistan Trust Fund, under the authority of the Commander, Task Force Afghanistan.


Examples of expenditures are:

  • Food
  • Medical equipment
  • Educational supplies
  • Clothing and mechanical parts and equipment

The activities of the organization include public speaking and media promotion to bring awareness to potential donors of the plight of the people of Afghanistan; and how donors can make a difference by empowering our military troops to identify and fund meaningful and useful projects.

Funds raised may be used to support projects similar to those supported by the Provincial Reconstruction Team and the Canadian International Development Agency. The difference is that the use of these funds will be determined by Canadian Forces personnel in Afghanistan based on the observations of Canadian Forces members. We hope this grass roots approach will have the important spin-off effects of:

  • Supporting the morale of Canadian troops as they recognize that they can make a difference on a very personal level
  • Improving the perception of the Canadian Forces in the eyes of Afghanis so that they may recognize the Canadian troops as caring individuals

Boomer's Legacy will not undertake "political activities". It is expected that our activities will provide public support for Canadian military personnel and Canada's mission in Afghanistan.