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Local legionnaire campaigns for homeless veterans

Mar 5, 2017 | 7:00 AM

For Marie Mathers, one homeless veteran is one too many.

Mathers, along with other members of the Royal Canadian Legion branches in the province, has been collecting donations for the Legion’s Homeless Veterans Fund. Mathers said she knows of at least nine homeless veterans in Prince Albert.

“A lot of them have the problem of alcohol, which is very sad,” Mathers said. “They were having nightmares and they were drinking and trying to forget about things.”

The issue of alcoholism is especially prominent among homeless veterans, Mathers said.

“They think that liquor is going to help healing,” she said. “Some of them are too proud to go for help.”

Tackling the issue head-on, Mathers said she canvassed local businesses for donations which she personally supplemented to assemble a big donation box. Included in her donation were rain jackets, toiletries such as soap and toothpaste, and warm caps and blankets.

Mathers said part of the campaign is awareness, as many people may not understand the post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental issues which plague the veteran community.

“It’s very important to be aware that all the homeless people are not really bad people,” Mathers said. “Sometimes when you look at veterans, if they’ve been a peacekeeper… they’re suffering.”

Mathers said she’s looking to get the community more involved in the campaign, which runs until the end of March.

 “So far what I’ve been sending is all stuff I’ve bought myself,” Mathers said. “There’s a lot of stuff still needed.”

Anyone who wishes to make a donation can contact the Prince Albert Legion office.

 

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