There’s no end in sight for Rick Burnett’s ongoing mission to help first responders in need. Burnett, who for several years was associated with Wounded Warriors Canada, recently formed a new organization with the same overall goal in mind – helping Canada’s veterans and first responders living with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) feel safe, supported and understood.
“I decided to start a new organization called Saskatchewan Heroes Helping Heroes,” Burnett explained. “We’re still going to host a camp (as Burnett has previously organized through Wounded Warriors) during the summer – the third week of July at Green Lake – and we’ll also take part in the golfing, fishing and horse equine therapy excursions.” Participants in previous camps came from all parts of the province. “We usually have about 30 people attend the camps, including partners,” Burnett said. “With such small groups, the guys can talk with each other and not feel pressured or as though they’re being judged. We’re all in the same boat, we’re all struggling.”
While Burnett still respects and appreciates the work of the Wounded Warriors organization, he said the reason he decided to break away and form a new organization was simply to ensure enough support remains available at the local level. “It was very hard because most of the money I raised for Wounded Warriors eventually did leave this area,” he said. “By forming this new group and having some awesome board members, we can focus on our area. The majority of the money we raise will stay in the community. I still admire the work Wounded Warriors does and I have enjoyed what I’ve done with them. It’s allowed me to meet many inspiring people.” One example of someone Burnett had a chance to meet through his time with Wounded Warriors is Kevin Briggs, a retired sergeant from the California Highway Patrol who, in 2005, talked a man out of jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. “Kevin is known as the Guardian of the Golden Gate Bridge, and meeting him has brought me to realize the importance of what he’s done in his career,” Burnett noted. “I was able to get Kevin Briggs, as well as Kevin Berthia – the guy he talked to for 92 minutes in an attempt to save his life – and brought them to Meadow Lake last year for a wellness seminar.”
Both Kevins have now been invited back to Saskatchewan through Heroes Helping Heroes. “We’re going to host a wellness talk in Saskatoon Oct. 1 and one in Regina Oct. 3,” Burnett said. “Seeing what happened in Saskatoon last year when a police officer took his own life hit near to someone’s heart who lives here in Meadow Lake, while I also have a friend who lost a good friend of his just last month. This made me want to get the ball rolling on organizing something that may help our first responders in those areas.”
Meanwhile, Saskatchewan Heroes Helping Heroes will be hosting a first responders ball May 4 at the Meadow Lake Civic Centre. “We’re raising funds to present a firefighter, an RCMP member and a paramedic who are struggling and need a little hand up with trained PTSD service dogs,” Burnett added. “We’ve got about 100 tickets to the ball sold so far and we only have 250 in total. It’s open to first responders and others… All of the proceeds will go back to the ones who need a helping hand up.”
Doors open for the ball at 4:30 p.m., cocktails will be served at 5 p.m. followed by supper and a small program to introduce Saskatchewan Heroes Helping Heroes to the community with particular focus on its mission and goals. Door prizes will also be awarded. “There’s a lot of people struggling with mental health and the word PTSD is hard to hear, but, this organization is here to help,” Burnett said. “We want all veterans and first responders to know they’re not alone. We are here to help.”