Battlefords residents stop at the Wounded Warriors Weekend fundraising stand, which is is raising funds to provide service dogs that help those diagnosed with PTSD. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Josh Ryan

Funding for veterans

Wounded Warriors Weekend fundraising tickets available in the Battlefords

Aug 13, 2020 | 5:42 PM

Annual fundraising for the Wounded Warriors Weekend Foundation is back in the Battlefords this week.

The non-profit organization, which is focused on helping military veterans, former RCMP members and first responders who deal with physical or mental issues (primarily PTSD), will have a stall displaying prizes for this year’s boat raffle and 50/50 contests at the North Battleford Discovery Co-op parking lot Thursday and Friday.

Fundraising Chairman Gordon Joyes said they are behind their fundraising goals this year, around half the desired total, having had a delayed start because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“But if we get into the $20,000 range, we’ll be pretty happy,” Joyes said.

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Wounded Warriors Weekend now has a permanent home called Camp Independence, which is on the edge of Tobin Lake, Saskatchewan.

“It’s a really beautiful wilderness spot and very healing at the same time,” he said. “We’ve had several people admit to us that if not for us, they would not be here today.”

The money raised this week will largely go toward purchasing service dogs. Joyes said these dogs change the lives of their new owners and families, evidenced most clearly by Afghanistan veteran Joel Rustenberg.

“He wouldn’t leave the house,” Joyes said. “Two days later he was out walking the dog and a few months later he was up talking in front of 400 people, telling them his story.”

The first prize for the Wounded Warriors Weekend raffle is a boat. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Tickets will be available for purchase at Co-op until 7 p.m. tonight and from 11 to 4 p.m. on Friday. As of August 13, the 50/50 currently is around $1,000.

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports