Five organizations receive funding from the Army, Navy and Airforce Veterans (submitted photo)

By Kevin Rothwell

A.N.A.F. Unit # 5

Veterans association finds charity funds for local groups

Feb 21, 2024 | 6:30 AM

Great attendance at the Army, Navy and Airforce Veterans Saturday meat draws in December is good news for five North Okanagan charities.

The following organizations each received $1,000:

Canadian Mental Health Association
North Okanagan Hospice Society
Okanagan Military Tattoo
Southern Interior Veterans Society
Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation

Four of the groups had previously received funding, and this was the first donation to the Canadian Mental Health Association.

“After we had done the math, more contributions came in in December from the meat draw revenue and we came up with another $5,000 to give to five groups. That is a total of $37,000 to 18 groups for 2023,” ANAF Unit #5 President Erwin Ruf said.

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The popular meat draw runs every Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m., along with a 50/50 draw. All the proceeds go back into community organizations.

“We are looking at expanding a little bit more and that will bring in more contributions for our community and social programs,” Ruf added.

When many service clubs are struggling with membership, the ANAF Unit #5 continues to buck the trend.

“Our membership is very important of course. They are the ones that support us the most. Our membership last year was 433 and that is up from 279 in 2022. This year, so far, we are at 361, we are hoping to beat that 433 and I don’t think it is going to be too hard. The more members we get, the better off we can be to support our unit, and then in turn we can support the community,” Ruf added.

The organization has live music on Fridays, the Saturday meat draws, Sunday games and both pub league and in-house dart and pool leagues for both men and women.

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by Kevin Rothwell

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