Buy Canadian Dave a Beer!

Why we’re doing this

Canadian Dave was held for 77 days by the Taliban because he stepped up to help Afghans who helped Canada. The Veterans Transition Network has launched this campaign to show Dave and his family that their sacrifice is appreciated.

We know from years of working with Dave that he will want to get back on mission right away, continuing his legacy of putting the mission before self.

However, as experts in military transition, we know that the best thing Dave can do now is spend time with family, take care of his physical/mental health, and allow time for the emotional toll to fade. This is impossible to do when you have to worry about your next pay cheque.

Let’s all show Dave and his family we have their backs and send some funds to cover medical expenses, travel costs, decompression time and lastly a cold Canadian Beer!

*Please note that this is not a charitable campaign, and donations are not eligible for a tax receipt*

Many years, many uniforms

The life of David Lavery has been defined by service to others.

A retired Canadian Armed Forces Sergeant Major and United Nations senior security advisor, Dave has spent decades in some of the world’s most challenging and dangerous environments, working to help those affected by the conditions around them.

Dave’s military training, life experiences, and unshakable optimism have made him a lifeline for those caught in conflict zones, earning him the proud nickname “Canadian Dave”.

The Afghan mission

For the past three years, Canadian Dave has been that lifeline for thousands of Canada’s Afghan Allies. Brave men and women who supported Canada’s mission in Afghanistan and now fear for their safety after the resurgence of the brutal Taliban regime they opposed.

Since 2021, Dave and his company, Raven Rae, have worked in partnership with the Veterans Transition Network as the boots on the ground in Afghanistan, providing secure accommodations, safe transportation, food and support for our Afghan allies seeking a better life in Canada.

From day one this work was difficult, complex and dangerous, but Dave has always pressed forward with positivity and professionalism.

77 days of captivity

On November 11, 2024, this work took a terrifying personal turn, when Dave was detained by the Taliban, after travelling to Afghanistan to personally assist some of Canada’s most vulnerable allies in their journey to begin new lives in Canada.

After 11 weeks in captivity, Dave was miraculously released on January 26th 2025, as the result of both formal and informal diplomacy by Dave’s supporters, the government of Canada, and the government of Qatar.

Coming home

Dave is now safely back with his family and recuperating from his detention, but this harrowing experience has left a lasting impact on his health, family and his livelihood.

We know that the impact of this detention likely means the end of his decades of humanitarian work in environments like Afghanistan, and he must now navigate this challenging transition while recovering from his time in captivity.

The road ahead

As a charity that supports veterans in transition and recovery, we know that Dave is about to embark upon a significant journey of healing and change in the coming months and years.

Dave was in Kabul because he chose to go above and beyond the call of service, taking great personal risk to help those who had no other options.

He was detained because he committed to standing by those who needed him.

Now, it’s our turn to stand by him.

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All funds raised will go directly in full to Dave and his family to help ease the financial impact of Dave's detention on his physical and mental health, his business, and the transition he now undertakes to begin a new phase of his life.

*Please note that this is not a charitable campaign, and donations are not eligible for a tax receipt*

We’re asking you to help Dave turn this chapter of adversity into another opportunity to inspire and uplift.

As Dave said in 2022: “From a crisis, I try to walk away with some positive attributes to pass on, and lessons learned.”

Please join us as we buy Canadian Dave a beer for a job well done.

Cheers, Dave! We’re excited to see what you do next.