'It was just too much for him': Veteran's widow shares story of support
A veteran's family is sharing the story of a lost loved one, and the assistance they received from a Calgary organization, to help them in their darkest hour.
"The Haunted Wastelands" was a fun, scary Halloween display that ran for years in Chaparral.
It was a labour of love for Jason Oliver, who used it to raise donations for veterans' causes.
"When I was first released from the military, they helped me out, so I figured I'd return the favour and help them out," Oliver told CTV News in October 2014.
Oliver was an army vehicle tech from 2000 to 2007.
He later suffered from PTSD.
The Halloween fun was therapy, according to his widow.
"For those couple of months that he was building and doing all that kind of stuff, it just kept him from fighting his own demons. And he was happy," said Chrissy Peterson.
Oliver died by suicide in January 2021, at age 47.
"When COVID hit and he couldn't do it anymore, and it was just it was too much for him," she said Peterson.
Veteran Jason Oliver’s “The Haunted Wastelands” display at his Calgary home was an annual labour of love (Courtesy: Chrissy Peterson)
VETS HELPING VETS AND THEIR FAMILIES
Oliver's family needed help.
The Veterans Association Food Bank, created by veterans after the closure of the Legion's food bank in 2018, has been there for them, with food and financial assistance.
"We have a lot of veterans who are on fixed incomes or limited incomes," said Charles Redeker, operations manager of the Veterans Association Food Bank.
"We also have a lot of veterans with young families and the costs right across the board are going up, whether it's the grocery bill, the energy bill, school fees, medications."
But Peterson says an understanding shoulder to cry on is just as important.
"Once you come in for looking for a hamper, or whatever, as soon as they get you in the door, they kind of sit down and they talk with you," she said.
"They don't push, but they just see where you're at, what other things that you need."
Redeker, who is a veteran himself, says he got a similar reception when he first got involved with the Veterans Association Food Bank.
"It wasn't because I needed financial help, or I needed food help. But I needed to find that community to belong to again," he said.
GROWING NEEDS
The association's November food drive is its most important of the year.
The organization has grown – from helping about 160 people four years ago to more than 400 vets and families now.
For some, it means healthy food on the table while for others, it's an even greater lifeline.
"They definitely helped me through this a lot more than they know," said Peterson.
Veteran Jason Oliver spoke to CTV News in October 2014 about his “The Haunted Wastelands” Halloween display.
FOOD AND OTHER SERVICES OFFERED
Peterson has since moved to Winnipeg, where there is no veteran-run food bank.
The organization only has operations in Calgary and Edmonton.
You can find more information on the services they provide online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.