Carol Baldwin
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Wakaw Recorder
In a single intake, the 2024-25 Saskatchewan Veteran Service Club Support Program has been fully subscribed and will provide grants of up to $30,000 to 81 veterans’ organizations across the province.
In the last fiscal year, 77 grants were awarded to clubs across Saskatchewan. Typically, at least two application intakes were available, but with an increased awareness of the available funding, the program funds will be fully dispersed in its first round of application intakes this year.
Introduced in 2019-20 with a budget of $100,000, the program provides grants for repairs and upgrades, special events, operations, programs and activities to engage communities and advance the work and long-term sustainability of veterans’ service organizations across the province. Since its inception, nearly $6 million has been dispersed to 393 successful applicants in more than 115 different communities across the province. Additionally, each eligible applicant may apply for an Operations grant of up to $2,500 to assist with club operating costs. The program is delivered collaboratively by the Royal Canadian Legion, Saskatchewan Command, the Saskatchewan Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans (ANAVETS) and the Government of Saskatchewan.
“The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to invest $1.5 million annually to support Legion branches, Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans units and other registered non-profit organizations that support our Saskatchewan veterans in the province,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Laura Ross said in a press release. “Veterans service clubs are so important, they enrich our communities, preserve local history and work tirelessly on behalf of veterans who have faithfully served our province and country. We thank them for their continued efforts, and look forward to continuing this work.”
Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan Command Provincial President Carol Pedersen said that the financial and moral support helps the Legion to meet and achieve its goals, and to carry out its mission of assisting veterans in their communities and promoting remembrance. The Veterans Service Club Grant allows branches to do the necessary upgrades and improvements to their facilities. Some examples of eligible projects include facility improvement projects, upgrades, renovations, and repairs to support community access to programming, meetings and events.
Eligible activities include special events, programs and activities to engage the public and advance the work of veteran service organizations. “Thank you to the Government of Saskatchewan, the Ministry of Parks, Culture and Sport and the Honourable Laura Ross for their leadership in recognizing the value of veterans and the good work of the Royal Canadian Legion.”
The Wakaw Legion has been a beneficiary of the grant which has allowed the replacement of the Hall’s aging shingles with steel roofing. Then in 2022, the Legion Hall got another much-needed improvement when the floor was refinished. More improvements included new exterior paint, a deck connecting to the wheelchair accessibility ramp, a smart TV and accessories, electrical upgrade work, a computer with software and tech support, and new chairs for the hall.
A 2023 Veterans Service Club Grant, received in July of 2023, allowed the Branch to improve the property with a gravelled parking lot, outdoor storage shed and shelves, a rebuilt back landing and step, painting the interior of the hall, and installing LED lighting in and around the hall. An event tent, lawn mower package, propane barbeque and griddle were purchased through the grant and an air conditioning unit was installed.
The Saskatchewan ANAVETS also expressed gratitude to be involved with the Veterans Service Club Support Program. “On behalf of the ANAVETS members, staff and directors, I would like to thank the Government of Saskatchewan for their commitment to veterans, their families and friends throughout Saskatchewan,” ANAVETS President Rick Taylor said in an April news release when this year’s program launched. “The grants over the past five years have enhanced the operations and infrastructure for our [individual] units with needed repairs and upgrades at a time that we could not afford them. Thanks again for a wonderful well-thought-out grant program.” He also stated, “The veterans, their families and friends appreciate what has been accomplished and will enjoy these enhancements for years.”
Grant recipients must acknowledge the Program and the Government of Saskatchewan’s funding support for the project, along with submitting a follow-up report within 45 days of the completion of the project. The report must describe the project’s activities, and how it met the Program’s aims of strengthening and contributing to the long-term sustainability of veterans’ service clubs and promoting the work of veterans’ clubs and organizations in the province which benefit veterans, their families, and communities. Applicants can receive more than one Project grant in a given fiscal period.
As with other grant programs, grant recipients are expected to keep proper accounts and records of the activities for which funding is paid from the Program. Expenses claimed must support the activity proposed in the application, and receipts for eligible expenses must be retained and may be requested by the administering bodies.
