A special guest at the October 23 14 Air Maintenance Squadron Mess dinner in Greenwood went home with an extra helping of help.
In September, VETS Canada (Veterans Emergency Transition Service), a Dartmouth non-profit that supports military and RCMP veterans through housing, financial and health challenges; suffered a break-in and theft of over $2,000 worth of grocery and gas cards.
“This caught my attention,” 14 AMS Honorary Colonel David Proudfoot said. As a longtime Greenwood-area lawyer, Proudfoot has helped many military members and their families with both the simple and more complex logistics of life. He and 14 AMS Lieutenant-Colonel Atif Rizvi talked about the loss for VETS Canada and, more importantly, the people the program serves.
In his role as 14 AMS honorary colonel, Proudfoot approached a number of his own community peer businesses and organizations and collected cheques totaling $2,000 to replace VETS Canada’s fund. VETS Canada co-founder and chief executive officer Debbie Lowther attended the 14 AMS Mess dinner and was presented the cheque.
“A chance to right a wrong!” says Proudfoot, who added it’s not often he has the opportunity to do something so publicly for the squadron. “Much of what honorary colonels do is behind the scenes and, of necessity, must remain confidential. Thank you all for having me as your honorary colonel which, in turn gives all of us this opportunity to do something positive for our vets – in the name of 14 AMS.”
Community donors who joined in Proudfoot’s 14 AMS effort included Scott Trimper Excavating, Bill Watts, Nathanson Seaman Watts Law Office; Craig Sawler, Cole Sawler Law Office; Mike Bishop Accounting, MBF Chartered Accountants; Val Connell, Exit Realty Town & Country; Dewolfe & Morse Surveying, and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 001 Middleton.
