100 Holes For Eden

Eden Foundation's Linda Driedger at the 15th Annual Eden Foundation IronMan Golf Marathon

One hundred holes in one day may seem like a long day on the golf course, but it's not too much for those looking to support Eden Health Care Services.

The 15th annual Eden Foundation IronMan Golf Marathon took place in Winkler Tuesday, raising over $10,000 for Eden Health Care Services.

Eden Foundation's Linda Driedger says the funds raised at this tournament will be used for mental health recovery programs, programs for housing, job opportunity services, counselling, and other programs that will give individuals with mental health issues a chance at recovery.

Eleven golfers took part in the day, one of which was Winkler Chamber President Ryan Hildebrand. He was on the 75th hole when we chatted with him about why he wanted to do this.

"I've seen the work that Eden has done first-hand and I see how many people are helped through the work of Eden and it just inspires us to come out year after year."

This was Hildebrand's 5th year participating in the tournament.

Written by Vickie Addison for Pembina Valley Online. Used with permission.

Steinbach Tractor Trek

Saturday June 13th was a perfect day for Steinbach's Tractor Trek 2015.  The event is a collaboration between Mennonite Heritage Village and Eden Foundation, raising funds for their respective programs.  The two organizations collaborate in this effort, sharing responsibilities, the costs associated with the event and then the proceeds of the event.  As of this writing in excess of $32,000 has been donated to the combined effort of these two organizations.

The theme for 2015 was "Preserving the Past and Creating a Future".  Mennonite Heritage Village has been active since it began in the business of preserving the stories and the artifacts of a people who arrived in Manitoba and called it home.  In order that the artifacts will stay intact for future generations to see, climate control equipment at MHV is in need of repair and upgrade.

Eden Foundation represented the "Creating a Future" portion of the theme in that proceeds will be used to create hope, healing and community by supporting the work of Eden Health Care Services.  The work of EHCS in the Southern Health Region includes personal and family counselling, work-readiness assessment and training, and housing and supports.  A significant goal for Eden Health Care Services is to provide resources to build a new apartment block following the model already proven to be successful at Penfeld Court in Steinbach and Concordia Village IV in Winnipeg.

Pictures of many of the tractors and some of the activities will be posted in the very new future. Visit this site again in the near future.

Access Credit Union Renews Support for Eden Health Care Services

Chris Hildebrand, Earl Reimer, Joel Billing

Access Credit Union presented a cheque of $8,000 to Eden Foundation to support the work of Eden Health Care Services, on Wednesday June 10th.  The financial support of ACU is a very important factor in helping to make a number of Eden Foundation events a possibility. These funds are the 'seed money' around which the Foundation can build events around which the community can get involved.  Because of this support funds donated in support of the IronMan Golf Tournament, Visit the Villages Tractor Trek, Head for the Hills Cycling Event and Sharing Our Stories will all be going directly to the work of Eden Health Care Services.

The work of Eden Health Care Services that is being supported by these fund-raising events goes to support private counselling for people who would not otherwise be able to receive individualized help.  It also goes to support trainers in helping people prepare for and find work and return to the community as a valuable contributor to the community and it also goes to provide safe, affordable housing for those who would not otherwise be able to afford a decent place to live.

Access Credit Union values the partnership with Eden and understands the significance of good mental health within the workplace.  ACU is by its nature an organization created by the people and for the people of the communities they serve.  They have shown that communitment to the community by their involvement in many charities and events in the community and Eden Foundation represents one of those involvements.