306 Recovery Group has been helping Sask. drivers deal with winter woes for close to a decade

A Facebook-based group dedicated to helping Saskatchewan drivers stranded in winter is approaching its 10th anniversary.

The 306 Recovery Group, which boasts more than 19,000 members, describes itself as a "pay-it-forward" initiative, created to connect people who need help with those who want to help them. The group's rules forbid members from charging for the service.

"I grew up in a small town in Saskatchewan where, if you needed help, you asked a neighbour," said Stuart Hall, the group's founder. "It was all based on when the time comes that they're in need that they can turn to you and you're able to help them," he said. 

Hall says he started the group during a cold snap in February of 2015 when he noticed on his social media that a lot of people were posting about needing a boost for stalled vehicles. 

He says that's when he decided there needed to be a place where people could ask for help, and a place for Good Samaritans who are willing to help others. 

"Within 24 hours, the group was over 300 people, and within the first week it was up to over 1,300  people," Hall recalled. "At that point it kind of started gaining traction, and it's just been growing consistently ever since."  

Dylan Lamontagne, who joined the group a year ago, says that while he enjoys helping others —  he has travelled to Bethune, Raymore, and Regina offering help to stranded drivers — he's also helping himself.

"I got diagnosed with severe depression this year so this kind of helps to relieve some of the symptoms and it keeps my mind busy," he said, "so it's helping me just as much as it's helping other people.

"Just the satisfaction of being able to help people in stranded situations," he said. "I have actually been in a few stranded situations, so I try to make sure people actually get home safe." 

Group member Jennifer Desjarlais is grateful for the help she has received and the other members who provide it.

"When I really needed help, I actually went to the site and just made a post to see if anybody could help me. Sure enough there were people that reached out to me," she said, the first time to deal with a dead battery, the next time when she locked her keys in her vehicle.

"Some people, you know, they don't have the funds to take their vehicle in, or buy a battery or to pay for a locksmith to come open your vehicle," she said. "So, if somebody can help you that's great because, you know, for myself, I couldn't afford to get any professional help." 

Desjarlais says she is grateful for the kind people who are always willing to help. 

"There are great people in this world," she said. "I'm very grateful these people are doing it out of the kindness of their hearts."