MOOSOMIN — The Moosomin Legion was one of the successful recipients of a grant through the Saskatchewan Veterans Service Club Support Program.
Launched in 2019, grants of up to $30,000 are available to groups including Legions, ANAVETS (Army, Navy, and Air Force Veterans) Units, and other registered non-profit veterans organizations in Saskatchewan.
For Moosomin, that means an emergency generator will be installed at the Legion Hall in case of a town-wide emergency.
“We applied, and we got the maximum allowable,” said Brian Beckett, president of the Moosomin Legion. “On the Town of Moosomin Emergency Measures Act, the Legion branch is one of the safe places to go in the event of a disaster of some sort. We were talking about it at a meeting one night, and we said, ‘well, we wouldn’t be much good because we wouldn’t have any power,’ so that’s what we’ve done with this grant is we have bought one of those generators that sit outside the building, and when the power goes off, it cuts in on natural gas.”
Should a disaster strike, the generator could power the Legion’s coolers and ovens to also store and provide food.
“This Veterans Service Club grant has been very good to our branch in particular,” Beckett said. “They seem to really want to support the branches that are trying hard, want to be visible, and work within their communities.”
This is the third time the Moosomin Legion has benefited from the annual Veterans Service Club grant, which has previously been used to upgrade the interior of the hall, upgrade to become fully wheelchair accessible, and see the installation of a new lighting, sound, and projection system.
This is the second year in a row that the program has been fully subscribed in one Intake with 67 Legion branches, ANAVETS units, and other groups receiving grants.
“Saskatchewan’s veterans’ service organizations play a vital role—enriching our communities, preserving local history and working tirelessly on behalf of veterans who have faithfully served our province and our country,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Alana Ross said. “We cannot thank these organizations enough for their continued efforts and look forward to continuing to support this amazing work.”
Beckett noted that one goal for the Moosomin Legion is increased visibility.
“I think a lot of the service groups are in the same boat as the Legion, it’s all older members, and it’s hard to get younger people to join,” he said. “I really don’t know what’s going to happen to service organizations within the next 20 years, but we’re working hard. We’ve got some young members that seem to be very interested, so hopefully they will take on some positions. There’s nothing better than volunteering!”
Wawota, Whitewood, Grenfell all receive grants
A number of other local legions have received grants through the 2025-26 Saskatchewan Veterans Service Club Support Program.
The Wawota Legion received $28,600 for new flooring in the club rooms and kitchen and to replace wainscoting and wall covering with tongue and groove in the club rooms.
Whitewood has received $9,955 for roof repairs and to sand and refinish flooring in the hall.
Grenfell legion received $23,803 for kitchen roof repair, windows, the meeting room ceiling, painting the floor in the drill hall, outside step repair and plastic tables.
