An organization built to aid veterans is receiving a hand up from the 100 Women Who Care.
At its Feb. 6 meeting, the group voted to support the Veterans Association Food Bank, and each of the 75 members donated $100, for a total of $7,500 being given to the association on Feb. 28.
The association, which has been operating since mid-2018, was nominated by Carola Singer, who said she had stopped in to visit and realized they do much more than just operate a food bank.
“They provide peer support, they help them out if they need a place to live,” said Singer. “I went in to stop for a visit and I’ve seen the welcome in there and what the benefits are.”
The services offered one veteran a turning point in his life.
“It has literally saved my life now, twice,” said Mike Nelson, who volunteers regularly for the Veterans Association.
He found the organization during a dark time in his life. Nelson was going through post-traumatic stress disorder therapy and was returning to Calgary with a fellow veteran when he checked his voicemail and had a message from his then-wife of 23 years telling him not to bother coming home and the divorce papers would be delivered to his parents’ house.
They pulled over and Nelson tried to walk into traffic, but was stopped by his vet friend.
“Long story short, I wanted to end my life,” said Nelson.
He was taken to his best friend’s house to recoup, and she convinced him to check out the Veterans Association, to go work for other vets and volunteer his time.
Though he left the house every day, it took a week for Nelson to get the courage to walk through the doors. When he did, he was greeted with more than a handshake from association founder Marie Blackburn.
“I walked in, she looked at me and said, ‘You must be Mike,’ and she walked over and gave me a hug,” said Nelson. “That was the first of many tears with this lady. I sobbed my eyes out, and she introduced me to another veteran and I sobbed again.”
He still struggles to tell his own story, but is proud to talk about the moments he’s experienced working with his fellow veterans – people who need a hand up after their time in the service.
Veterans are defined as anyone who has ever donned a uniform in service and has been honourably or medically discharged, he said – it doesn’t matter whether they have gone overseas, fought, been part of the reserves or the regular force.
In his year with the Veterans Association Food Bank, Nelson said he’s helped other veterans who were prepared to end their lives, and though their circumstances were different than his own, it’s given him a sense of self-purpose.
“I have a task and purpose, I have self-worth,” said Nelson. “I feel more like a human being again, and I proudly now say that I am a veteran. I proudly defend my brothers and sisters. I proudly talk about what we’re doing.”
Blackburn said the money donated by the 100 Women Who Care will go toward the Veteran Association’s emergency funding assistance program, which helps vets with anything from groceries to paying bills and making sure they can get through the month.
“Just this week we’ve already spent $7,500 keeping people in their homes,” said Blackburn. “Sometimes it’s not about the food.”
She said one gentleman, who is dying of cancer, decided he didn’t need his medals and sold them all. The Veterans Association will go to the pawn shop and strike a deal to buy them back.
“We understand the importance of that, so we will pay the pawn shop to have his dignity restored by giving him back his medals,” said Blackburn.
They often help veterans with their pets, because in many cases their furry friends are the only family they have left, she said.
She said sometimes it’s even more important just to have the social aspect of the Veterans Association Food Bank available, because even if they don’t need financial aid many are struggling in different ways.
“Without having a place like this, where do they go?” said Blackburn. “There’s many things out there like counselling services for veterans, but where is the landing pad when you’re finished?
“You just go home and you have no one to talk to and all those thoughts are still swirling in your head.
“You need to have a safe zone to go to.”
The next meeting of the 100 Women Who Care will be May 7 at the Crystal Ridge Golf Course at 7 p.m.
For more information visit www.okotoks100.com
