Wounded Warriors Weekend Foundation

03/10/2026

01/03/2026

11/11/2025

Www has received the sad news of the passing of two of our longtime supporters and volunteers
Sharon Erickson attended a number of Camp Independence events as medical support and staff She was a valued member of Moose Jaw Legion.
Tania Cherny was a former treasurer of our Board and passed in Saskatoon.
Condolences from all of us to their families

10/27/2025

Stacy Hastings, White City,Sk picked up first prize of Lund boat, motor, trailer donated by Lund for Wwwf lottery once again. Thanks to all who purchased tickets. Camp will be able to operate once more…set for July!

10/25/2025

Wounded Warriors Weekend lotto 2025

Winners: drawn Oct. 25

Stacy Hastings, White City, Sk Lund boat, motor, trailer

Shelley Neumeier, Saskatoon
Fishing Kayak

Kim Schimmel, Ab.
Kayak

Kim Carpenter, Slave Lake
Kayak. Mr. Carpenter bought his ticket at Vanity Cup and generously donated kayak back to Www Foundation.

10/13/2025

World Mental Health Day. Mental health support is essential for everyone.

Our 2023 review, Mental Health Treatment Benefits for Family Members of Veterans, examined how family members can access care when their mental health needs are directly connected to a Veteran’s service. We found important gaps and made recommendations to strengthen supports for families.

Read the full report: https://ow.ly/fzHE50X8ApW

10/09/2025

09/12/2025

Here’s a great message received from Rookie who received one of our first service dogs as a high school student.
Nine
Words cannot describe how much I love Nine, how much she has saved me from the darkness.
Like I’ve said numerous times I was so depressed and anxious I couldn’t cook for myself, talk on the phone, order my own food or properly take care of myself.
But then I moved to lethbridge. I worked with the dogs in our program every day even though I had bronchitis. Because without my trainer knowing the only thing keeping me alive was working with those dogs.
And finally after 9 su***de attempts, 7 hospital admissions and 14 years of therapy I got my Nine.
We fought to stand on our own, suddenly I was thrown into the real world that showed no mercy. Being told I needed therapy but I was too severe for every place in the city, being told I was “too complicated” of a case load to take on. Living in a garage, living with my trainer and fighting the university head on.
I am here today not by luck, but because of Nine, before Nine I was alive simply because my attempts had always failed; not because I wanted to be. But after Nine I was alive because of her, her love for me, they way she looked at me, the way she cuddled me and kissed me every time I cried.
When I had episodes she was there, when I was so low I couldn’t even shower she was there, when I thought I had no fight left in me she was there. Nine has always had my 6 since I brought her home, and words cannot describe how much she has changed my life for the better. On second thought she didn’t change my life, she GAVE me life, a life worth living simply to repay her for all that she has done for me. Nine is a rockstar, a god, the G.O.A.T and most importantly the best thing that’s ever happened in my life.
Wounded Warriors Weekend gave me a chance to live again, a chance to be happy and a chance to help the world with my profession. I take a lot of things for granted but there is never a day where I don’t thank Nine for saving me from the depth of hell that I was in. My heart dog, my love and my Nine. ❤️

Wrote this 3 years ago but still rings true to this day. All my thanks to yall. Nine is still working 8.5 years later. She’s going to be retiring soon at 9.5. It was an honour and privilege to be gifted a service dog by yall. I love you guys all for it. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

09/11/2025

A message from Jim Morgan who was a guest at Camp Independence this year
Yesterday was Su***de Prevention Day.

I wore this shirt to my local coffee shop.

While I had compliments on it, one gentleman and his wife, in their forties, asked me about it when they saw the Wounded Warriors Weekend Foundation logo on my left sleeve.

I explained that it was a Veterans and First Responders group based out of northern Saskatchewan.

He and his good buddy had survived two tours in Afghanistan. We talked about his friend who took his own life three weeks ago and my son, Cody, who took his, nearly five years ago. The three of us talked for about twenty minutes.

There were tears, there was silence, and a lot of deep breathing while trying to rein in our emotions. There were hugs and thank you’s.

It wasn’t quite the way I thought my day would start, but it was worth it.

You don’t have to be a Veteran or First Responder to talk about what’s on your mind and in your heart.

Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do, is ask for help.

If you, or someone you know is in need, dial 9-8-8, the National Mental Health and Su***de Crisis hotline.

08/18/2025

Son Trevor carries the urn crafted by his father, Gord Joyes, holding his ashes as family and friends gathered to celebrate the life of the man who was the consummate volunteer. Gord supported numerous organizations over the years but most recently devoted his summers to travelling the province selling the Wounded Warriors Weekend lottery tickets. The service was held in the Conquest school. The final tribute song, “My Way” was sung by Www board member, Brenda Fredrickson.

08/12/2025

This guy spent years travelling the province selling WWW lotto tickets…one of our best supporters. RIP Gord.

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Gordon Charles Joyes announces his peaceful passing on June 27, 2025, in Lloydminster, SK.
Gordon was born on March 27, 1939, in Milden, SK, to George and Nella Joyes. He was raised on the family farm near Conquest, SK, and was the youngest of six children. At the age of 11, he was involved in a farm accident that left him with a fused hip and the distinct walk that made him so easily recognisable for the rest of his life.
Gordon dedicated his life to public service, volunteering with groups like the Elks, Lions Club, Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation, Special Olympics, as well as the Saskatchewan Summer and Winter Games. He served on town councils in many of the towns where he lived. He supported the Legion Halls and then his favourite – raising money and supporting our Wounded Warriors, which became his greatest passion. He spent many summers travelling in Saskatchewan, selling tickets in every small town where he enjoyed talking to people and making connections. “Was so-and-so your uncle? I knew your father, brother, etc,” as he could always connect through six degrees of separation.
In April of 2023, he was awarded the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal, a moment that he and his family were all very proud of.
Gordon spent his years as a jack of all trades. He could repair any appliance, was always sketching a new idea on a napkin, and had a love for construction and woodworking.
Predeceased by his parents, his siblings, nieces, and nephews, as well as his first son, Blain. Gordon was the last of his generation.
He leaves behind to mourn his loss, sons Rick, Trevor, and Todd (Ashley), and his grandchildren Sydney, Ryley, and Georgia, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Gordon’s Life will take place in Conquest at the Conquest Activity Centre on August 16, 2025, at 2:00 pm. Interment will follow at Fertile Valley Cemetery. Fellowship to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warriors Weekend Foundation (Box 2666, Nipawin, SK S0E 1E0).