Helping veterans with PTSD

Andrea Roberts
Times Intern

 

Organizers of the 10th Annual Shoot for the troops decided to do something a little different this year and donate to a charity that helps veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Usually the funds raised during the event are donated to the Calgary Military Family Resource Centre to help military families deal with the challenges of having a parent in the military. However, this year, the event, which took place on May 14 at the Strathmore Royal Canadian Legion No. 10 branch, raised $3,664 for the Wounded Warrior Canada and Can Praxis.
Can Praxis aims to help those suffering from PTSD and other mental issues brought on by conflict through the therapeutic help of horses.
“So we have a worthy cause and we continue with this cause next year,” said Sylvia Westgard, the deputy district commander of the Strathmore Royal Canadian Legion No. 10 branch.
“Of course this year with everything else that has been going on in Fort McMurray we still were able to have 17 teams of three people.”
This year’s event was successful with the silent auction having the best year in years and with the 50/50 giveaway totaling $197.50.
Shoot for the Troops originally started out as Shoot for a Cure, which raised money for a cure for cancer.