Meet The Salvation Army’s “Moose Jaw Grannies”
At The Salvation Army in Moose Jaw, Sask., two beloved volunteers generously donate their time providing meals to the community and working to make a positive impact on people’s lives. The guests they serve have lovingly nicknamed them the Moose Jaw Grannies.
The “grannies” are led by two long-time volunteers named Sue and Beverly. These ladies have consistently served the Army together for more than 20 years. Their main involvement is helping make and serve breakfast to the city’s homeless population.
“We are helping people who are not as fortunate as us. It gives us a sense of accomplishment,” Sue shares.
The motivation behind the grannies’ work varies for both ladies. Sue has been involved with The Salvation Army for most of her life. Her father passed away when she was a child, and the Army helped her family by giving them Christmas hampers and providing Sue and her siblings access to camps.
“This is kind of a way to give back for what they did for us when I was young,” Sue adds.
Beverly credits her late husband with giving her the drive to volunteer. He loved being involved with the Army, so before he passed away, he told Beverly that he wished she would continue onfor him. Since then, volunteering has been something Beverly has happily done.
“We had quite a few talks. He told me to carry on doing the same old things, and he promised he would always look after me. When I am volunteering, I can feel his presence,” Beverly says.
The group has other members who occasionally join them. However, Beverly and Sue have been there from the start. Aside from their contribution to breakfast, they are also heavily involved in the Christmas Kettle Campaign. They happily will take on double shifts, sometimes for as long as six hours, collecting donations for families in need during the holidays.
“It is good to see that the money raised goes where it is needed,” Beverly says.
In addition, when serving breakfast, they also take the opportunity to socialize with their guests. They believe their interactions have helped them gain the affection of those they serve.
“We socialize with them, and we treat them with respect. They make our day, and we make their day,” Sue says.
While the conversations are usually lighthearted and casual, some clients open up more. Sue and Beverly are always happy to provide advice to anyone willing to hear it. Sue’s soft approach combined with Beverly’s direct personality are a perfect balance for those who welcome their words of wisdom.
The work of the Moose Jaw Grannies serves as an example to the community about the importance of helping the less fortunate. They motivate other seniors and retirees to dedicate some of their free time to benefit others and themselves.
“I think it is healthy, not just for the homeless but also for us doing this. It keeps us on the move. A lot of times, you sit at home feeling lonely. Doing this makes me feel like I am accomplishing things,” Sue concludes.
By Juan Romero
