Beyond The Uniform

The Pepper Pod to host ‘An Evening in the Forest’ Gala

CMFMAG Team July 25, 2022

0 3 minutes read

Long Live Strong Women! That’s the motto of Sandra Perron, Canada’s first female infantry officer and founder of The Pepper Pod, a one-of-a-kind women’s veterans retreat centre nestled in the beautiful forest of in Chelsea, QC.

Changing Lives

There is no other place like this in Canada. The centre is changing lives by offering women from the veteran community a safe and nurturing place that helps them transition out of the military.

“The evening will be a celebration of the strength and unity of women veterans. The Pepper Pod is their centre, and this is their event. So it’s going to be less of a ‘function’ and much more of a party,” noted Perron.

Whether they are releasing from the Canadian Armed Forces or RCMP soon or have been out for decades, The Pepper Pod offers a place for women veterans to come together, talk about shared experiences and build life-long bonds. The centre also welcomes military spouses to their retreats.

“It’s about supporting and building strong women… and then they go forth and do the same,” says Perron.

The Pepper Pod Gala will be the first of many future events to celebrate this incredible centre and the successes of women veterans. You, too, can attend, and The Pepper Pod team would love to see you there!

Served Hundreds of Women

The Pepper Pod has served hundreds of women across Canada through its proprietary LifeShop program. When the physical centre is too far from the need, Perron packs up and delivers programming on the road. LifeShops have been offered coast to coast – in Halifax, Gagetown, Edmonton, Comox, and 14 other bases.

Purchase Out Standing in the Field: A Memoir by Canada’s First Female Infantry Officer

In addition, the centre offers opportunities for mentoring, personal development, and simply the chance to recharge with other women veterans. Wonder Women Wednesdays, No Agenda Weekends, Intro to Business courses, and Work Parties to keep the centre in shape are also enjoyed.

This year, The Pepper Pod will be celebrating its 1st anniversary, and to mark the occasion, it is hosting a black-tie gala at the Canadian War Museum on September 10th.

Funds raised will support enhanced programming for the women veterans’ community and will also assist with operating expenses at The Pepper Pod. Although the centre receives some funding from Veterans Affairs Canada, many of the day-to-day operating expenses are not covered with that money.

An Evening in the Forest

The theme of the event is “An Evening in the Forest,” and people are clearing their calendars to attend. Transforming the museum into an outdoor wonderland complete with a SheShed shop, photo booth, and a forest-like ambiance will provide guests with a unique experience.

The event will be attended by several special guests, including Ministers, senior military members, and industry leaders. Still, Perron is quick to point out that although she is thrilled that the event is garnering the attention of many high-profile people, the evening is dedicated to women from the veteran community.

“The evening will be a celebration of the strength and unity of women veterans. The Pepper Pod is their centre, and this is their event. So it’s going to be less of a ‘function’ and much more of a party,” noted Perron.

Support Enhanced Programming

Funds raised will support enhanced programming for the women veterans’ community and will also assist with operating expenses at The Pepper Pod. Although the centre receives some funding from Veterans Affairs Canada, many of the day-to-day operating expenses are not covered with that money. The Pepper Pod relies on donations from generous sponsors, community support, volunteers, and fundraising to provide a range of quality and life-altering services.

“We could not exist without our army of volunteers and generous sponsors. Their donations and ongoing support make The Pepper Pod possible, and I know that the legacy they are contributing to will have a positive impact for generations to come.”

Visit here to reserve your seats now.

The Pepper Pod Gala will be the first of many future events to celebrate this incredible centre and the successes of women veterans. You, too, can attend, and The Pepper Pod team would love to see you there! The gala is open to the public, and organizers encourage anyone interested to book their seats quickly. You don’t need to be a veteran or a woman to join the celebration.

The Pepper Pod has served hundreds of women across Canada through its proprietary LifeShop program. When the physical centre is too far from the need, Perron packs up and delivers programming on the road. LifeShops have been offered coast to coast – in Halifax, Gagetown, Edmonton, Comox, and 14 other bases.

Tickets are $150 each or $1,200 for a table of eight. Visit here to reserve your seats now. Your attendance will help support this incredible centre, and you’ll enjoy what is sure to be a spectacular evening. The deadline to purchase tickets is August 10, 2022.

You can follow the PepperPod on Facebook here.