A fundraiser being held next Friday evening (June 7) in Calgary will help keep our community's First Responders and Vets mentally healthy.
'Sheepdogs: A night at the Bowness Legion' is an annual fundraiser for the Sheepdog Lodge Foundation featuring dinner, silent auction, keynote speakers, and a live band. Although the event is being held in Calgary, monies from the auction and evening will go towards making a Wellness Program for First Responders and Vets in our community an ongoing permanent program as well as offsetting operational costs of maintaining Sheepdog Lodge located between Ponoka and Bashaw.
Thanks to a partnership between Sheepdog Lodge and Rival Boxing Gym Cochrane, a pilot program run by first responders over an eight week time period was a huge success.
Drawing in first responders from primarily Cochrane, as well as a few from Airdrie and Calgary, to participate in strength/conditioning, boxing, and yoga classes with other like-minded individuals went well, shares Jaime Lehmond, Sheepdog Lodge Fundraising Coordinator. "We had a huge turnout, and we were doing two days a week, for eight weeks. One of the huge takeaways that I took away was always who would turn up because people were putting themselves in a vulnerable situation when it comes to dealing with mental health challenges that come from their job."
When it comes to the value a program like this can offer, Lehmond shares the pay off will be huge. "In my opinion, it's the beginning of a change in our culture for those working in emergency services. We need to start taking care of ourselves physically; there is a lot of people in our industry who don't necessarily like working out with the public and try to avoid conversations with people sometimes, and so what is unique about our program is it is all for First Responders, taught by First Responders. It offers a safe environment for First Responders to come, work out, get some exercise, and be around like-minded people. It is the beginning of starting a safe community for emergency service workers to talk about their issues and what is bothering them rather than harboring their emotions."
Seeing the value that a program like this can offer, Lehmond is one of few committee members who are trying to get the wellness program off the ground as well as grow and expand into other communities. There will be an outdoor weather-based program running this summer in Cochrane, before starting up, hopefully, again in fall, depending on funds.
The other beneficiary of the event is the lodge itself. Sheepdog Lodge is a rustic log cabin retreat for Veterans and First Responders who are looking to reconnect and recuperate individually or with their families. The rustic, authentic cabin is situated on the lakefront property and has a wood burning stove. "Anybody that has ever stayed there has always come back feeling amazing, and it has a healing energy to it."
With the fundraiser benefitting both Sheepdog Lodge and the Cochrane Wellness Program, the committee decided to hold the evening event in a location central to many communities. Master of Ceremonies for the night will be Josh Nash a Paramedic from Calgary, while Jasper Fire Chief Greg Van Tighem and Paramedic/Firefighter Allan Dignard 'Fit 4 Duty Third Alarm Coaching' from Leduc will be Keynote Speakers. The event last year raised over 7,500 dollars, and this year Lehmond is hoping to hit a 10,000 dollar target. "We are still looking for silent auction items and will continue, all the way until the day of the fundraiser in case any local businesses want to donate some things, as well as, a corporate sponsor or philanthropist who would like to make a cash donation to help offset the cost of us hosting the event."
The June 7th event at Calgary Bowness Legion is more than 75% sold out, but a few tickets remain. If you would like to secure your's, go HERE.
To learn more about Sheepdog Lodge or how you can get involved contact the board through their website at http://www.sheepdoglodge.com.
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