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Sidney veterans association meat draw money goes to 15 organizations

The meat draw at Army, Navy & Air Force Unit #302 (ANAVETS) is ever-popular and has a predictable prize (meat), but local organizations are putting that money to new, innovative uses, including robotic pets for seniors with dementia.
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Charmain Lee, who heads up the meat draw at ANAVETS #302, stands with the many beneficiaries who received their cheques in person. (Hugo Wong/News Staff)

The meat draw at Army, Navy & Air Force Unit #302 (ANAVETS) is ever-popular and has a predictable prize (meat), but local organizations are putting that money to new, innovative uses, including robotic pets for seniors with dementia.

On Friday, $20,300 was distributed to 15 groups that support veterans and children in the area. One recipient, the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation, will put the money towards beds and renovations in the extended care unit, but a portion of the funding will go towards their Love and Comfort Therapy program, which provides dolls and electronic cats and dogs for dementia patients to comfort them and reduce their required intake of medication.

Broadmead Care received $3,000 from ANAVETS, which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Rudi Hoenson, a Second World War veteran and philanthropist who is currently matching donations up to $100,000 to the Veterans Memorial Lodge at Broadmead.

A portion of the funds were used by the ANAVETS themselves to make their front door more accessible to wheelchair users.

The public is invited to a special Christmas-themed meat draw on Sun. Dec. 17 from 3-5 p.m.



reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com

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