MOOSE JAW — As Canadians marked National Volunteer Week from April 27 to May 3 under the theme “Volunteers Make Waves,” the Western Development Museum (WDM) in Moose Jaw celebrated the unwavering dedication of its volunteers, spotlighting Don Fox, whose contributions have spanned more than three decades.
Since 1991, Fox has been an integral part of the WDM, bringing the museum’s rich tapestry of Saskatchewan’s heritage to life. With a deep-rooted passion for steam engines and blacksmithing, he has not only helped preserve historical artifacts but also mentored new generations in these traditional crafts.
“Don has been with the WDM for over 30 years. He helped restore the 75 Case steam traction engine… He doesn’t run the Vulcan (steam engine) anymore, but he’ll help with maintenance,” said Alexis Jones, programs and volunteer co-ordinator at the museum.
“He’s our experienced blacksmith, so you can catch him out at Museum Days blacksmithing for the students, and he helps supervise our newer blacksmiths who don’t have all their hours to be alone in the shop yet.”
Fox’s journey at the WDM began with the partial restoration of the 75 Case steam traction engine — a project that ignited his enduring commitment to the museum.
His mechanical acumen, honed from a farming background, proved invaluable as the project was fully completed and restored to operational functionality in 2019. Beyond machinery, his foray into blacksmithing in 1994 added another dimension to his volunteerism, allowing him to share his skillset through demonstrations and mentorship.
The WDM’s celebration of National Volunteer Week included a special appreciation event for its volunteers, including Fox, on April 30.
“We had about 37 volunteers come for supper,” Jones recounted. “The staff barbecued for them — there were burgers, hot dogs, salads, and chips — and the food was donated by the Moose Jaw Co-op. Then we had cupcakes for dessert, which were donated by Aspira West Park Crossing.”
The event also included a fun play on the year’s volunteering theme.
“Since the theme was ‘Make Waves,’ we had some Morse code for volunteers to decode (messages over the airwaves) to win a prize. We did some trivia, and we had some other door prizes as well,” Jones said.
The event not only honoured the volunteers’ contributions but also fostered a sense of camaraderie and appreciation.
“It was really great to have volunteers chat with each other (as they) don’t see each other very often, and just to celebrate everything that our volunteers do for us. It was a nice way to give back,” Jones added.
Highlighting the broader impact of volunteering, Jones noted, “At the WDM, as a total (across all four locations in the province), we have over 475 active volunteers who gave over 20,000 hours in the last fiscal year (2024).” In Moose Jaw alone, 110 active volunteers contributed 2,241 hours in 2024. These figures underscore the vital role volunteers play in sustaining the museum’s operations and its educational programming.
Reflecting on the essence of volunteerism, Jones expressed her heartfelt gratitude for those she works with at the museum.
“Volunteers enhance our visitor experiences, and I cannot thank them enough for everything that they do and the skills and knowledge they offer,” she said.
To learn more or to inquire about volunteering, visit . For further questions, contact Alexis Jones at 306-693-5989 or [email protected].
The Western Development Museum in Moose Jaw is located at 50 Diefenbaker Drive.
