MOOSE JAW — A weekend of memories and reconnection for the A. E. Peacock Collegiate Class of 1975 has now turned into a meaningful act of giving — one that will leave a lasting impression on Square One Community Inc.’s “Stronger Together” campaign.
Following their 50-year high school reunion held June 13 to 14, the organizing committee for the Class of ’75 found themselves with a small but significant surplus. With the group in agreement, they decided to donate the remaining $300 toward Square One’s Stronger Together initiative — a local fundraising campaign aimed at helping vulnerable members of the community.
A gold leaf honouring the Class of ’75 has been added to the Stronger Together tree sculpture, now on display at Circle Medical Centre. The leaf is engraved with the words “Peacock Class of 1975 Reunion,” and joins dozens of others in a growing visual tribute to community generosity.
The sculpture — crafted by local metal artists Bill and Laurette Keen — has become both a fundraising tool and a symbolic landmark in the city. When the original tree design reached capacity earlier this year, Keen built a ladder sculpture beside it to continue displaying donor leaves.
“In fact, the trees are filled, so now he built ladders,” Square One board chair Della Ferguson said. “We’re putting leaves on the ladders by those trees now.”
As a former Peacock teacher himself, Bill Keen was part of the reunion’s planning efforts and even contributed a separate sculpture to help the class raise event funds. When the reunion wrapped and all costs were covered, the remaining dollars were earmarked for a cause close to his heart.
“He said he made a sculpture donation to the reunion committee to help raise funds to cover their costs, and they did very well,” Ferguson noted. “They wanted to donate the surplus money, and they chose the ‘Stronger Together’ project, and they were all really happy with that idea.”
The Stronger Together campaign is a community-led initiative created to raise funds and awareness for housing insecurity, mental health, and addiction recovery in Moose Jaw. Operated in partnership with Square One Community Inc., the campaign supports the John Howard Society’s “My Place” program, which helps individuals on their path to meaningful independence. Donations are recognized through bronze ($100), silver ($200), and gold ($300) sponsorship tiers, with each donor’s name engraved on a metal leaf displayed on a public art installation crafted by the Keens.
Ferguson said the Peacock donation is a perfect example of community roots continuing to grow.
“The whole theme of ‘Stronger Together’ is the fact that when we work together, we become a stronger unit,” she explained. “This class is full of local people, and those who have moved beyond Moose Jaw are still rooted in those community connections. They really believe in the fact that we are stronger together.”
Circle Medical Centre is located at Unit 2B, 1251 Main Street North and can be reached at 306-693-3737.
To support the Stronger Together campaign, Square One Community Inc. can be reached at [email protected]. To learn more, visit SquareOneHousingMooseJaw.com.
