As the local branch of the Canadian UN-NATO Veterans Group continued to grow, they wanted their work in the community to grow with their membership.
Monday, the Moose Jaw UN-NATO Veterans Group delivered a turkey, Ovaltine, plus warm socks, long underwear, mitts, toques and gloves and other donations to the Riverside Mission Kitchen & Shelter. It is the first year they've donated to Riverside.
"I had just joined the club and my wife asked: what do they do around town? I said that I knew that they volunteered at the Food Bank and they had get-togethers every month," said Don McDonald of his wife Marie. "She suggested that we do a clothing drive for the Mission. She knew Rachel (Mullens) from her church and when I brought it up and said 'what do you think of this?' Everyone thought it was a great idea."
The Moose Jaw Veterans Group had two big clothing drives in the six weeks before Christmas to collect items to donate.
"It seems to be well received, so it definitely will continue," said Moose Jaw UN-NATO Veterans Group branch president Doug Publicover. "Our group has been growing exponentially over the last, almost two years. Our membership is up to 26 now. The more manpower we have, certainly the further our outreach can be for organizations such as this."
In 2018, the Canadian UN-NATO Veterans Group celebrated their 10th anniversary. The group has more than 7,000 members nationwide and four chapters in Saskatchewan: Moose Jaw, Regina, Saskatoon and Meadow Lake. The Moose Jaw group will celebrate its second anniversary in February.
"We have quite a spectrum of experience and service. We have all branches of the service and a lot of generations covered," Publicover said.
This past Remembrance Day, the group planted 1,070 Canadian flags at veterans grave sites at the local cemetery.
The group was created so members can find old friends and stay in touch. They said that they want to ensure that they never forget their fellow brothers and sisters-in-arms who have been wounded or who have fallen in combat while serving with the Canadian Armed Forces.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Moose Jaw UN-NATO Veterans Group can visit them at www.MooseJawVeteransGroup.com.
