(submitted photo/Gordon Joyes)

By meadowlakeNOW Staff

supporting veterans

Meadow Lake residents invited to support Wounded Warriors through boat lottery

Aug 16, 2023 | 3:48 PM

Last summer, Gordon Joyes put 13,000 kilometres on his vehicle driving across Saskatchewan.

He’s the volunteer lottery chairman with the Wounded Warriors Weekend Foundation which brings together 20 or more veterans and emergency responders to two camps each year in the province.

“We’re here to just help people who have served and saw some stuff that you and I wouldn’t want to see, even in the movies,” said Joyes.

It costs more than $50,000 to run Camp Independence in Meadow Lake and Nipawin, so Joyes drives around the province selling tickets for the 14-foot Lund boat, Mercury motor and trailer that can be won. He’ll be sitting outside of the Co-op grocery store in Meadow Lake on Thursday, Aug. 17 with the prizes on display, and again outside of the Co-op gas station on Friday, Aug 18. He’ll also be selling them on Saturday in a local parking lot.

“Just look for the orange umbrella and the boat,” he said

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The Wounded Warriors weekend offers golfing, fishing and relaxation for the participants but its also an opportunity to share stories with comrades who know all too well about the trauma each other has seen. Equine therapy and mental health sessions are also offered. Joyes said they’ve even purchased service dogs for veterans in the past.

“We’ve had letters from dozens of them saying that without us they wouldn’t be here. We’ve had some great success stories. One guy came and got the love of fishing and went back to New Brunswick and now runs a business making fishing lures,” said Joyes. “So, we’ve had a lot of success with people who have PTSD.”

Despite its success, fundraising for any cause can be challenging and Joyes said he’s getting older and a medical condition is preventing him from travelling too far this year, which will be his last as the lottery chairman.

“So, we need people to come out because we have a shorter time selling tickets and we’ll appreciate you stopping by and saying ‘Hi’ whether you buy a ticket or not,” he said.

Tickets for the boat and trailer are $20 each, four for $50 or you can purchase a value pack of 10 tickets (eight for the boat and two for the 50/50 draw) for $100. Second, third and fourth prizes are kayaks ranging in price from $500 to $1,000. There are gift cards to be won and also a 50/50 with a minimum prize jackpot of $2,000. Draws will take place Sept. 7.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @meadowake